Professor Patrick Honohan:

It was gleaming. The way I put it is that up until very recently, my opinion of the social merits of the property developer was nil or negative. Now I see a tiny element of skill in the matter of turning a hole in the ground into a building. We have gone through all the planning and procurement step by step. I am sure the other people do so as well. We had some delays early on in getting those issues right. We have had no hiccups, hitches or decision-making delays. I am as amazed as the Deputy that it takes so long. The main contract is signed and the builders are there with their boots and shovels. If they need cranes, which I suppose they do, they will be there. It is still expected that we will be moving in before the end of 2016, so that is still the schedule. I cannot say anything more than that.

I must admit that it does amaze me. It is probably for another committee to scrutinise. People talk about the new regulations and the way each step of the building process must be checked and signed off on by some inspector before we move to another stage. I am never sure to what extent this is just special pleading by particular professionals or whether there is substance in this kind of the explanation for the delay, because it is not my area.