Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 249: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the person who has the responsibility for a building (details supplied) in County Wexford; if this building will be used for its present purpose into the foreseeable future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26123/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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The meteorological station at Rosslare Harbour is part of a site owned by the Office of Public Works. Since 1956, the station has been operated by Met Éireann, which is part of my Department.

The station operated continuously as a Synoptic Station from the time of opening until April 2008. During that period hourly weather observations were made manually by trained Met Éireann personnel. The observing programme at Rosslare Harbour has now transferred to a new Automatic Weather Station at Johnstown Castle, Co. Wexford.

While some staff transferred to other locations following the automation, others remain on site at Rosslare to carry out other meteorological work. Met Éireann plans to continue occupying the station in the short to medium term. Consultations are currently taking place with the OPW regarding the overall provision of sites for Met Éireann's future weather and climate observation programmes. It is likely that a final decision regarding the occupation of the site will emerge in the context of those discussions.