IS THE Government in mortal fear of revolution? Or is it just a prudent piece of risk management?
Either way, the Oireachtas last week tested plans to use Dublin Castle, one of the most fortified buildings in the capital, as an alternative venue in case of an emergency.
Officials at the Houses of the Oireachtas have confirmed the exercise was part of its “business continuity management” plan in case the Dáil Chambers suddenly become unavailable.
The plan involves using the ceremonial rooms, such as St Patrick’s Hall, as a Dáil chamber, while connecting rooms could be used as temporary bases for political parties.
IT equipment has also been tested to see if it could replicate the computer systems used in Leinster House and print out official documents for the smooth running of the Dáil.
But what kind of emergency might prompt such a move?
“It could be any unforeseen event,” said one official, declining to speculate further.
Might it involve anti-austerity mobs? Or maybe there’s intelligence about a new Occupy Leinster House group? If the past is anything to go by, disruption to Leinster House is likely to be for more prosaic reasons.
In 2001 a pipe leading from the room burst, flooding the basement and bringing down telephone lines and the building’s computer system.
And in 2008 there was a plan to relocate the Seanad to the National History Museum due to concerns about the structure of the building.
In the end the history museum was spared any additional exotic artefacts after Senators opted to relocate to another committee room in Leinster House while renovation work took place.
Latest available figures show that in recent years at least €9 million has been spent renovating facilities and improving fire safety in Leinster House, while further work is planned on other parts of the building, which date back to the 1740s.
Not all this money has gone on making the building structurally sound.
Significant sums went on revamping the Dáil bar, and new facilities such as a creche and fitness room are available.
Some, though, are likely to grumble whether it has been money well spent. Latest figures from the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission show that while 93 members have signed up to use the fitness room, only between five and 10 are regular users of it.
In the unlikely event of an emergency, any attempt to relocate the Dáil chamber would be a logistical headache.
The latest version of the Houses of the Oireachtas continuity plan involved checking out whether there was sufficient room in Dublin Castle to house staff employed by political parties.
New figures show that in addition to the 166 TDs and 60 Senators, some 365 political staff were employed under the “secretarial allowance” scheme last year at a cost of €25 million.
