Mr. Martin D. Shanahan:

In regard to Carrisbrook House, the Comptroller and Auditor General has referred to the expenditure as non-effective. I agree with the Deputy that I am not happy that this expenditure is effective either. I must point out that we have a contractual obligation to pay this money. The State is contractually obligated. A leasehold interest was taken out on this building by the State in 1969 for 65 years by AnCO.

It passed from there to the former Industrial Development Authority, which had its headquarters there until 1985. Forfás took over responsibility for the building in 1994. As the committee has pointed out, it is a little more than 15% occupied by a single tenant. Management of the building has passed to IDA Ireland since 1 July this year. In the time that we have managed the building and had the leasehold interest, including 2012, we have made every effort to secure tenants. We have explored all options in respect of our leasehold obligations and in respect of the sublease. The building has been marketed heavily. There has been some interest in it and there were 12 site visits in 2012 although none of those who visited opted to become tenants in the building.

A question was asked relating to the Office of Public Works. We have made the OPW aware of its availability dating back to 2008 and we have continuously-----