Seanad doesn’t want to move to Dublin Castle or Royal Hospital Kilmainham

The closure of the Seanad next year for renovations could lead to the Upper House being moved out of Leinster House to Dublin Castle, or the Royal Hospital Kilmainham, under plans being considered.

Disgruntled outgoing senators are pushing for sittings to be held in the Dáil chamber or elsewhere on the grounds of Leinster House, so as not to have to commute around the city from their offices.

The Irish Examiner has learned that the matter was recently discussed by two Oireachtas committees which are overseeing elements of the refurbishment plan for the Seanad.

Substantial building maintenance is needed in Leinster House in works which could take up to a year to complete.

The works will see the Seanad chamber and other areas of the house, originally built in 1745, closed for part of 2016 and most of 2017.

The RTÉ studio in the building will also be moved.

A briefing note said “personnel and services in the entire of the old house will need to be decanted to facilitate the necessary refurbishment of Leinster House and it is anticipated that this will be done once the Dáil has been dissolved”.

Oireachtas sources confirmed thought is being given to moving the Seanad to Dublin Caste or the Royal Kilmainham Hospital during the works. A large venue would be needed for the 66 senators, broadcasting facilities and for a public gallery.

However, senators want to keep proceedings within the grounds of Leinster House. There are suggestions that the Dáil chamber could be used during its non-sitting days or an upgraded committee room may be suitable.

“It will be kept in-house during the works. Two days a week in the Dail would be preferable. Moving everything out would not work,” said a source with the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission.

Another source suggested the library in Leinster House, on the floor directly below the Seanad, could also be used. “There’s no way senators want to leave the grounds,” said the source.