Results 1,261-1,280 of 1,637 for speaker:Marie Sherlock

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Engagement with Office of Public Works (25 Sep 2024)

Marie Sherlock: I find this a bit strange. Everything should be itemised. Having this catch-all under the project does not seem acceptable. I move on to my second question. The scope of works was issued in 2023 and the final account report was issued to the OPW official in July 2024. Am I right in my understanding that there was no direct role by OPW officials in that 12-month period with regard to...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Engagement with Office of Public Works (25 Sep 2024)

Marie Sherlock: The OPW's documentation states that the scope of works was issued in 2023 and the final accounting report was issued in July 2024. It seems the intervening period was handled by contracted agents of the OPW. There does not appear to have been any direct oversight by an OPW official of the tender process and the assessment of quotes received during that time.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Engagement with Office of Public Works (25 Sep 2024)

Marie Sherlock: If a project such as that was to come before that official today and was just under the €200,000 threshold, it would not go to the board. Would a project such as this still go through today? Ms Collier is saying that there is a proper process in terms of the architect overseeing it. To me, even a cost of just under €200,000 would still be outrageous for a bike shelter. Could...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Engagement with Office of Public Works (25 Sep 2024)

Marie Sherlock: I am concerned there is not a common-sense check somewhere in the organisation that ultimately would have put in context that this is a bike shelter and not something more elaborate. On the specifications, I see that lights and charging points were part of the original specification and do not appear to have been delivered on. Were they paid for?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Engagement with Office of Public Works (25 Sep 2024)

Marie Sherlock: Are they operational now?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Engagement with Office of Public Works (25 Sep 2024)

Marie Sherlock: The €336,151 is not the final figure for this bike shelter. There will be additional costs to make that operational into the future in terms of getting the fire certificates and all of that.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Engagement with Office of Public Works (25 Sep 2024)

Marie Sherlock: I have a question for the Chairman. One of the things that really strikes me is that he said he will commission an external auditor to inform or advise as to how value for money can better inform practices in the organisation. With respect to Mr. Conlon, the OPW's bread and butter is spending money on maintenance and capital projects. Mr. Conlon's background within the public service has...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Engagement with Office of Public Works (25 Sep 2024)

Marie Sherlock: I thank the Chair and I am conscious that this has been a very long afternoon for the witnesses. I must say it is extraordinary to hear that when we need buildings for childcare, art spaces, and a whole variety of uses, a building like that - although I do not know its dimensions - would end up on the open market. My question is in regard to the office portfolio of the OPW. I understand...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Engagement with Office of Public Works (25 Sep 2024)

Marie Sherlock: Has any building leased by the OPW been vacant for 12 months or longer at this point?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Engagement with Office of Public Works (25 Sep 2024)

Marie Sherlock: That is okay. I want to ask about Bishop’s Square, Dublin 2. I understand there are three leases there. I believe the combined cost of the three leases is €4.16 million, although those are the 2022 figures that were provided to Deputy Boyd Barrett. It may be the case that the amounts are greater now. I understand that when the leases were taken out, Bishop’s Square...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Engagement with Office of Public Works (25 Sep 2024)

Marie Sherlock: I thank Mr. Conlon for giving that detail. He mentioned that landlord change was one of the factors, but was the full amount paid every year for the duration of the lease? He might update me on the current cost of the lease. The 2022 cost appears to have been €4.16 million per annum. Was that paid every year by the OPW to the landlord, notwithstanding the fact that there were...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Engagement with Office of Public Works (25 Sep 2024)

Marie Sherlock: I would appreciate the detail on what was paid and when. It is alarming that a substantial lease - the sums have been articulated - would be paid to a landlord when the OPW is not using the building. I appreciate the fit-out can take time, but we are talking about weeks and months for that, rather than years. There are concerns about Bishop's Square and the waste of money that perhaps took...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Engagement with Office of Public Works (25 Sep 2024)

Marie Sherlock: I do not mean to be pedantic. Is a lease agreed and then the design and fit-out worked out? It seems extraordinary that, on entering into a lease, the OPW does not have a very clear idea of how the building is used and a speedy fit-out takes place. I understood those issues would be ironed out in advance of taking a lease.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Engagement with Office of Public Works (25 Sep 2024)

Marie Sherlock: What kind of rent is the OPW paying for the Distillers Building at this point in time?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Engagement with Office of Public Works (25 Sep 2024)

Marie Sherlock: There was a rent free period. I am conscious of time.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Engagement with Office of Public Works (25 Sep 2024)

Marie Sherlock: I would appreciate if the witnesses could furnish the detail. I am conscious that Mr. Conlon has only been in the role since April. What consideration or thinking has the OPW ever given to developing art spaces within the portfolio of heritage sites? I am thinking of Collins Barracks, in particular, which is a significant space and there would be interest in developing an artists' space...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Engagement with Office of Public Works (25 Sep 2024)

Marie Sherlock: Of course. I thank Mr. Conlon.

Seanad: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (25 Sep 2024)

Marie Sherlock: We are resuming on amendment No. 63.