Farmleigh lodge planned as residence for future taoisigh

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Archiseek / Ireland / News / 2005 / December 28

Farmleigh House

The Government is refurbishing a house in the grounds of the Farmleigh estate in the Phoenix Park with a view to using it as an official Taoiseach's residence. Office of Public Works (OPW) sources have confirmed that the refurbishment of the Steward's House on the estate, to be completed next year, is being carried out with the specific aim of providing a suitable residence for the Taoiseach. There is political sensitivity at Government level about the project, with some concerned that it could be depicted as a lavish "perk" for the Taoiseach. A spokeswoman for the Taoiseach said Mr Ahern has no interest in using it, and will remain living in his relatively modest home off Griffith Avenue, Dublin. "It [ the Steward's House] could be used as a Taoiseach's residence in future, but it won't be used by him [ Mr Ahern]", she said. The four-bedroom Steward's House is described by the Office of Public Works as a "domestic-scale" building which would be highly suitable as a family home. A high specification security system is being installed for the house and grounds.

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