To the amazement of those who have been watching the progress of the construction, the new Leinster House office block will be ready for the return of the Dail on Tuesday. Indeed, a special tour of the facilities has been arranged for tomorrow conducted by the OPW minister, Martin Cullen, who is just back from Sydney. Deputies move in on Monday and an official opening will take place in a couple of weeks when the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, and the Ceann Comhairle, Seamus Pattison, will cut the ribbon and entertain party leaders and other dignitaries.
But progress hasn't been easy. The first dispute arose when the Greens objected vigorously to Leinster Lawn being replaced by a tarmacadam car park to facilitate the builders. Deputy John Gormley is now content with the assurances that the lawn will be restored. Then there was the industrial dispute which delayed construction, causing serious concern about the October 3rd deadline. Now, the rows are about how the whips are allocating offices - with complaints that some rooms are too small and have no view, and that TDs cannot take their old furniture with them.
The good features are that now every deputy is "on campus" and each has a private office. Those previously located in Kildare House will not have to brave the traffic, the rain and, worst of all, the lobbyists at the gates, as they dash across the road for votes several times a day. The word around Leinster House, however, is that one of the two former taoisigh in the Dail, Albert Reynolds, has got the worst office. It may be the largest on the FF floors, in keeping with his status, but it faces a wall and is less than bright. But then, say some, he is rarely in Leinster House at all these days.