Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I never said the Deputy was not entitled to ask about the plan. He is entitled to raise the issue with me, but he knows how such decisions are made. He understands it is not my role to become involved in decisions my colleagues make on individual projects. As I stated, if I were to comment on an individual project, every other Deputy present would begin to ask me about other projects and ask me to intervene. The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport would ensure the Minister, Deputy Shane Ross, would be in contact with me the moment I walked out of this committee to ask why I was getting involved in decisions they were making. I would then be open to being drawn down the path down Deputy Alan Kelly tried to draw me down earlier in the hearing. I am aware of the project and that there is a strong need for it, which is why it has been included in the national development plan. I will talk to the Minister, Deputy Shane Ross, and the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport to see how the project can be progressed because I know that it is needed.