Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

My first question is for Mr O'Rourke from TII. I see from the national development plan that there will be an increase in the reliance by the Government on PPPs for infrastructural projects in the future. As a manager of such contracts does he consider PPPs to be best practice going forward, given that most countries are moving away from them? There is sufficient evidence to show that they do not offer value for money. I would welcome Mr. O'Rourke's opinion on that.

I wish to ask about the criteria for managing conflicts of interest at TII.

Does Mr. O'Rourke consider his current position a conflict of interest with his position as chairperson of Transport Infrastructure Ireland, TII, given that he advises on infrastructure and Government? According to his curriculum vitae, Mr. O'Rourke advises Departments on procurement options. If he becomes the manager for the contracts, how would he manage that conflict of interest? Does he accept that there may be a conflict of interest there?

The witness also mentioned that savings in personnel have gone too far and may hamper long-term planning in the future. He has stated that TII is in the business of long-term planning. Is Mr. O'Rourke saying that TII is short-staffed? To what extent is it short-staffed? How will Mr. O'Rourke manage TII's objectives if there are not sufficient staff to plan? I refer to the funding gap that exists regarding roads maintenance. Has Mr. O'Rourke met the Minister on this issue and can he expand on that?

I have two other ceisteanna. Does TII have plans to ensure that new works or remedial works in cities and towns on the national roads feature wheelchair-accessible bus stops? We have been meeting disability groups of late and this issue has been flagged time and time again. While there appears to have been some movement on the issue, there does not seem to be any concerted effort or real plan. Can Mr. O'Rourke outline TII's plan for that in detail? If he does not have details, perhaps he could furnish the committee with that plan. I refer also to new motorway service stations. There is a need for changing rooms in these facilities, particularly for mobility-impaired persons who require a carer to be with them. Will TII insist that new service stations are fitted with changing rooms?

I also have a question concerning the Galway Harbour Company. Mr. O'Gorman said that he was in the process of planning for Brexit. What are the plans and at what stage are they?