318 Mr. Walsh asked the Minister for Finance if the Office of Public Works will arrange interim accommodation for the 200 staff from the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources and Bord Iascaigh Mhara who have volunteered to transfer to Clonakilty, County Cork, and who are waiting for a decision on suitable accommodation for more than two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10255/06]

The Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources has requested office accommodation in Clonakilty, to accommodate an advance party of 45 staff immediately and a further 45 by the end of 2006. The estimated completion date of the permanent accommodation in Clonakilty is summer 2008. In this regard, when the business case has been evaluated and agreed by the Department of Finance, the Office of Public Works will proceed.