Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)

I welcome the Minister of State and his senior officials, Kieran Feely and Pat Patterson, who is the registrar of deaths, births and still births. Both of them are located in decentralised offices at Convent Road, Roscommon. I welcome Mr. Feely back to the House, as he previously worked in the Department of Post and Telegraphs and other Departments and he is an experienced official.

I welcome the legislation and I thank the Minister of State for bringing it forward in such an expeditious manner. The primary Act was passed last year and it cautiously and carefully ensures funds are fully authorised, which is worthwhile. On Tuesday, I published the Registration of Wills Bill 2005. I hope the Minister of State and his officials will return in the autumn to accept the Bill.

I was contacted by Shannonside Radio earlier regarding the beautiful new building at Convent Road, Roscommon, to which the General Register Office has been decentralised. It is staffed by officials of the Departments of Health and Children and Agriculture and Food. Concerns regarding the second floor of the building were brought to my attention. It is not in use because of a potential structural defect. I was briefed fully on this matter by an official of the Minister of State's Department and I would like to allay the fears of my constituents and the public, who are interested in this matter. The building was provided by McLoughlins-Marmac at a cost of €10 million. However, the Office of Public Works will ensure difficulties that have arisen will be addressed before the building is fully taken over. Senior structural engineers from the OPW visited the building earlier and they will ensure it has been built in accordance with its specification and design. A meeting was also held earlier between the chief fire officer of County Roscommon and officials of Marmac. I visited the new facility last Monday.