Mr. Jim Dollard:

In terms of the buildings, as stated by the chief executive of Bord na Móna, Mr. Donnellan, over the next 15 months our focus on the site will be to operate fully as a peat plant. After that, the site will be unable for a period of time. We are examining other energy options on the site, including energy grid reinforcement, storage and other energy options. It is a significant site in terms of energy infrastructure in Ireland. We will be closely examining what other types of uses fit with that energy infrastructure.

In regard to the fund, €5 million, in my view, is a significant amount of money. Deputy Corcoran Kennedy spoke about previous transitions. There have been many transitions in the midlands down through the years. The current fund compares favourably with the amounts contributed when one considers the scale of the changes that happened previously was far greater.

Hundreds of people were involved in some of the changes. This is still quite a large number of people but it is small relative to some of the previous changes, with 80 people. We have contributed €5 million in addition to the €6 million, which we consider to be a significant sum.