Pages 54 & 55

54 U.C.D. and the Future

3. We have indicated earlier (Section IV) that the Terrace/Gardens site can
carry a total of at least 13 acres of floorspace without overcrowding and
without any encroachment on the central portions of Iveagh Gardens--
i.e. a further 10 acres can be erected there in addition to the retention of
the existing 3 acres of sound floorspace.

The table of estimated needs given by the Commission (Report, p. 16)
tells us that the provision for the complete needs of Medicine, Arts, Law,
Commerce, staff, administration, examinations, library and student
facilities requires a total of 297,200 sq. ft. nett (i.e. 396,300 sq. ft. gross or
approximately 9 acres), which includes provision for 20% expansion. The
inclusion of the total needs of Physics (44,700 sq. ft. gross) would add
another acre to this. As 3 acres of sound floorspace are already in existence,
the erection of a further 7 acres will provide more than adequately for all
the needs of the above faculties, administration etc., and the department of
Physics, with no less than 3 acres to spare.

If the new Medical school were to be erected on the Hatch Street side
of the site, it could eventually be closely associated with the new Science
buildings (on the Station site) when it becomes necessary to erect them.
Indeed the two sites could be physically connected by a block bridging
Upper Hatch Street.

Long term expansion on this site would take the form of (i) building
up the site until it carried a total of at least 13 acres of floorspace (gross),
and (ii) gradual acquisition of property along Harcourt Street and on St. Stephen's Green South as it became available.

General Considerations

It should be remembered that Dublin Corporation was in the past willing
to permit the closure of Upper Hatch Street under certain conditions.

We wish to emphasise that we most certainly do not consider that our
suggestion is the only possible one to effect a solution of the College's accommo-
dation needs in the city centre. In the earlier sections of this Memorandum we
have indicated that various alternatives might present themselves. The final
solution to be adopted would depend on such factors as the degree of co-operation
by the Government, particularly in regard to its own need for new offices; the
possible development of an over-all plan for a 'cultural and educational area';
the granting or continued witholding of compulsory powers; the degree of co-
operation or co-ordination that might be achieved with other institutions of
higher education, in particular in the fields of science and technology (including
architecture). It is obvious that any one of many different solutions might be
achieved without a removal to the suburbs.

SUMMARY AND GENERAL CONCLUSIONS

1. This Memorandum is concerned mainly with Chapter I of the Report of the
Commission on Accommodation Needsof the Constituent Colleges of the
National University of Ireland.

2. We agree with many of the conclusions of the Commission, but not with its
view that U.C.D. should be removed from its present site.

Summary and General Conclusions 55

3. The Commission is emphatic that is has 'not been concerned with solutions
which might suggest themselves if the terms of reference had sought our
views upon co-ordination within the University of over a wider field.' A
'solution' on these terms is unrealistic, and we regret that the Commission
interpreted its terms of reference so narrowly.

The needs of U.C.D. should be closely co-ordinated with the position
in the other Colleges of the N.U.I. In Dublin, the existence, and plans for
the development of, the teaching hospitals (including the Dental Hospital), the
Institutes of Technology, the College of Art, the Institute for Advanced Studies, the College of Surgeons, and Trinity College should also be taken
into account.

4. In Dublin we have a 'cultural anl educational complex' of unique value, on
the merits of which the President, Mr. de Valera, has expressed himself.
It is situated in one of the finest parts of the capital, and includes some of the
institutions listed above, the National Library, Museum and Gallery, other
important libraries, and the headquarters of many cultural, educational
and professional bodies.

Everything possible should be done to strengthen this complex. The area
should be planned as a whole. To move U.C.D. would result in grave losses
to the College itself and to the city. The development of a plan for the area
need not interfere with the relief of the needs of U.C.D., if expansion is
undertaken around its present site.

5. A removal to Stillorgan Road would result in serious difficulties for all
faculties, particularly for those engaged in professional training. These
depend on facilities in the city, and substantially on part-time staff engaged
in professional practice there.

6. The College provides educational and cultural services to the community
other than the teaching of its full-time students, e.g. evening degree and
diploma courses, extra-mural courses, public lectures and facilities for
cultural bodies. If U.C.D. moves, these services will be much less acces-
sible, and space for some of them may have to be provided in the city at
extra expense and at the cost of divorcing them from the College.

7. In assessing the capital cost of the proposed move, the majority of the Commission makes no estimate of the cost of the movable furniture and equip-
ment for the new College. We believe that this cost will be considerable
and call attention to the Minority Report which says that 'the cost of the new
University if it is properly equipped, will be nearer to £10 million than £5
million.' Further, the Commission's estimate makes no provision whatever
or the highly important Agriculture and Veterinary Faculties.

The Commission does not refer to the considerable increase in running
costs which will result from the proposed substantial expansion of the
College.

Unless the total cost of the proposals, the increased running costs, and
the cost of other plans for expanding higher education are assessed in ad-
vance, some of these projects may not be carried to completion. It would be
tragic if this happened after part of U.C.D. had moved to Stillorgan Road.

The total cost of all current proposals is so great that expansion should