§ MR. DAWSONasked the Secretary to the Treasury, When the building of the new Science and Art Museum in Dublin will be commenced, and what is the cause of the delay?
§ MR. COURTNEYI much regret the delay in the commencement of this building; but owing to the necessity of obtaining estimates of the probable cost of the selected designs, it has not yet been possible for the Government to decide upon the one to be chosen. But there is work to be done in the way of obtaining the additional land required and preparing the site; and I will take care that there shall be no delay in proceeding with this.
§ MR. GIBSONDid not the hon. Gentleman state in the debate on the Estimates that one of the designs had been selected and approved of, and that the Treasury only asked £5,000 this year, because they did not intend to spend more?
§ MR. COURTNEYNo, Sir, I did not. I stated one design had been recommended by the Committee of Selection; but that until the cost of working out that design had been valued it was impossible to say whether that one would be selected.
§ MR. DAWSONIs not it a fact that the surveyor appointed by the Government or the Treasury or the Board of Works has arrived at a conclusion as to what the cost would be; but that there is only a very trifling difference between the cost and the estimate of the architect, and that there is no ground whatever for the delay?
§ MR. COURTNEYI am sorry to say, Sir, the difference is not slight.
§ MR. DAWSONWhat is the difference?
§ In reply to Mr. GRAY,
§ MR. COURTNEYsaid: The amount very much exceeds what is proposed to be saved by interest; but I must point out that it would be unjust to the other architects if we were to proceed with this design recommended by the Committee, without inquiring into the probable cost of their designs also.