Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl said a return would be an “unacceptable risk to all in our parliamentary community”.
The Oireachtas has spent more than €1.8 million on its use of the National Convention Centre since June of last year as a return to Leinster House has been ruled out by Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl.
The Sunday Times under Freedom of Information legislation revealed that at least €1,697,867.68 has been spent for use of the Dublin Centre.
The figures for the period from 1 June 2020 to 26 May of this year also showed that an additional €139,649.21 was spent on fit-out costs.
It reportedly costs between €21,000 and €25,000 per day to move sittings to the Convention Centre location.
The Dáil moved from Leinster House at the beginning of the pandemic and it is understood the majority of the spend is associated with broadcasting as the Convention Centre doesn’t charge rent.
The Oireachtas has at present rejected calls to return to Leinster House.
Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl told the Irish Examiner earlier this month that a return would result in an “unacceptable risk to all in our parliamentary community”. He added that Leinster House is “not a controlled setting”.
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