Heating Leinster House

Sir, – I started work in Radio Éireann in the GPO in 1966. The heating came on for winter and off in spring on fixed dates, irrespective of the prevailing weather conditions. So you could have cold radiators and overcoats, or hot radiators and the windows wide open. This was somewhat understandable. The heating boiler required a man with a wheelbarrow stoking the beast on a regular basis from a truckload of fuel in the basement.

However, with a flick of a switch, and temperature-controlled modern systems, one would imagine that the Civil Service could bring itself from the 19th century nearer to the present day.

Our residents’ group was invited on a tour of Leinster House by a local TD. On visiting the Dáil chamber, I noticed that despite it being a cold day, it was very warm and cosy. So much so that one of the handful of those present had dozed off.

It appears that it seldom has in attendance, other than for short durations, more than a few TDs. Could the proceedings not take place in one of the many smaller conference rooms and save on the heating bill for the larger chamber? When full attendance is anticipated, TDs could begin the proceedings with their coats and hats on, removing them when all of the hot air generated by the participants has raised the temperature sufficiently. – Yours, etc,