Michael McDowell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Yesterday, I mentioned a request made to the Deputy Leader to have the Minister with responsibility for culture come here to address the subject of the removal of statues from outside the Shelbourne Hotel. I was slightly disturbed to see the ambivalent remarks made by the Lord Mayor of Dublin, who is in the same party as the Minister, about the statues. There is no slavery at all suggested with these statues and the leg ornamentation shown on them is simply that. There is no slave involvement at all so I presume they will be put back.

As we are discussing buildings in the vicinity, I ask the Deputy Leader to invite to the House the Minister of State, Deputy Patrick O'Donovan, who has responsibility for the Office of Public Works. We spent €18 million restoring Leinster House recently, and a very good job was done, but the south facade is now showing major staining. It looks like iron oxide becoming visible because of what has been done, and it is starting to look increasingly unpleasant. Over €1 million was spent on the stonework but I ask Members to go out on Leinster Lawn and take a look at it, as it is deteriorating badly. I would like the Minister of State in charge of the Office of Public Works, Deputy Patrick O'Donovan, to come to the House and explain to us precisely what has happened and what is proposed to be done to stop that side of Leinster House becoming increasingly unsightly.