Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Yes. First, in his opening statement Mr. Scannell said the Government asked IDA Ireland to oversee the programme. I presume that, by extension, it was the Department which asked IDA Ireland to oversee it. Mr. Scannell said the contract was extended for a year to facilitate an orderly wind-down. Can he explain the reason he allowed the extension of one year and why we have had drift and no succession planning?

Second, Senator Gerald Nash mentioned a bridging arrangement and said IDA Ireland had presented legal advice to the effect that the contract could not be extended and would have to be retendered for. How long does it take to retender? IDA Ireland does not want this initiative to continue, but, given its record on job creation and in addressing the urban-rural gap, not to mention the difference in cost between the jobs created by ConnectIreland, at €4,000 each, and those created by IDA Ireland which cost €10,000, why does the Department not step in and have an arrangement with ConnectIreland? That would keep it going and ensure there was no interregnum.

What is the Department's view on the operation of the system whereby connectors are red flagged, which is crucial to the operation of the programme? IDA Ireland states the initiative has not been a success, but it has been. IDA Ireland has given the operation of the red flagging system as one reason the initiative has not been a success.