Paul McGrath (Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 144: To ask the Minister for Finance the reason the razor wire that was installed on the perimeter wall of Farmleigh House as a temporary measure has not been removed despite his commitment given in Seanad Éireann on 5 May 2004. [16258/04]

Tom Parlon (Laois-Offaly, Progressive Democrats)
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Part of the temporary razor wire installed at Farmleigh for the 1 May accession event has already been removed. The firm engaged to take down the wire is working on removing the rest of the temporary wire and expects to have the work completed in the week ending 4 June 2004.

Paul McGrath (Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 145: To ask the Minister for Finance the reason the military style fencing that was erected to protect a temporary heliport in the Phoenix Park for the May Day 2004 celebrations has not been removed; and if a tendering process was used for the provision of such fencing. [16259/04]

Tom Parlon (Laois-Offaly, Progressive Democrats)
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The fencing referred to was erected at the request of the Garda to provide a high level of security for the temporary helipad in use during the 1 May EU accession celebrations. It was provided at less than the usual cost by the company staging a concert on the same site in the park on 12 June. By allowing the fencing to remain in place between the accession day celebrations and the concert, the cost to the OPW for its use on the accession day was significantly less that it might otherwise have been. It will be removed immediately after the 12 June event.

The supply of the fencing was done under a negotiated procedure to take advantage of the economically beneficial opportunity outlined above. That cost is below the threshold for which EU tendering procedures apply.