Taoiseach
moving to Castleknock
Over two years ago Community Voice reported on the
proposals to convert the Steward's House at Farmleigh in Castleknock
into a taoiseach’s residence. At the time a spokesperson for the
Taoiseach said that Bertie Ahern had no interest in moving into the
refurbished house.
Now a few days after his election as Taoiseach, Brian Cowen has confirmed
his interest in using the new upmarket residence as his Dublin pad.
Speaking on the matter this week, Mr. Cowen said “the issue that
arises is what security advice is available to me anytime I stay in
Dublin or away from home. That is an issue that is being considered
by the gardaí. I will make my decision based on the security
advice they give me.
“The fact of the matter is that there is a residence there –
the Steward’s House on the Farmleigh Estate, a four bedroom house.
It has been suggested that might be the best location in the light of
all the considerations that apply and if there is a case I will obviously
stay over there and use it according to my requirements.”
Mr. Cowen was at pains to stress that any decision to use to Farmleigh
would be based purely on security considerations and should not be seen
as a perk of office. “It’s not a question of whether I see
it as a perk. It’s a question of the office of taoiseach. There
is a residence available and the security advice will be a determining
the matter for me.”
However the Taoiseach was at pains to stress that his use of Farmleigh
would only be occasional and he would not be moving from his native
Offaly. “I will only be using it to fulfil the requirements of
my office as necessary but my residence will remain at home in Tullamore
where my children go to school and where my family reside,” he
said.
The four-bedroom Steward's House is described by the OPW as a "domestic-scale"
building . It comprises four bedrooms, a kitchen, dining room, and family
rooms.
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