Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I have often mentioned that I sat at local level for a long time - 17 years - when I heard the constant refrain that PPPs were excellent and that public contracts were bad. There was no evidence whatsoever for that refrain and it is very worrying that that was the way we went. I heard in Galway only last week about a project I will not mention. It was in the music sector and said PPPs were excellent, but there is absolutely no evidence for saying that. It is the contrary - they are more expensive. I have a number of specific questions and will come back to the Department of Education and Skills. What is the longest contract entered into?