Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 283: To ask the Minister for Finance if, further to his parliamentary question response of 16 May 2006, the agencies which have raised concerns with regard to the main stairwell of the National Gallery of Ireland, Millennium Wing; if there have been incidents on the main stairwell which have given rise to concerns regarding the stairwell; and if so, the number and nature of these incidents; if the State Claims Agency, or other agency has been in contact with the Commissioners of Public Works with regard to any incident relating to the main stairwell or have raised any concern regarding the stairwell with the Commissioners of Public Works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21075/06]

Tom Parlon (Laois-Offaly, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

In December 2002, Ruairí Quinn, T.D. wrote to the Commissioners of Public Works on behalf of a constituent who expressed concerns regarding the main stairwell of the Millennium Wing building. At that time, the Commissioners of Public Works requested a detailed report from the Gallery's architects, Benson & Forsyth who advised that the stairs were in compliance with the relevant building regulations. Given that at that time, approximately 700,000 people had used the stairs without incident and that the day to day management of the building and stairs was a matter for the National Gallery, the Commissioners of Public Works asked the Gallery to monitor usage and revert if they encountered any problems.

In November, the State Claims Agency wrote to the National Gallery of Ireland in the context of a claim which had arisen. The National Gallery of Ireland forwarded a copy of this letter to the Commissioners of Public Works in December 2005. The National Gallery of Ireland has confirmed that, to date, four incidents concerning the Millennium Wing stairwell had been recorded. None of these incidents required hospital treatment. As advised in my previous answer, I have asked the Commissioners of Public Works to assess the main stairwell of the National Gallery and if necessary, take any action to ensure not only compliance with all relevant regulations but "best practice".