Dr. Pat Daly:

I thank the Chairman for his kind words. We are happy to pass them on to colleagues. In respect of the living city initiative there are two aspects to consider. We could look at the time bands within it, what buildings fall into it and what buildings could be included. A study of the impact across the sites and the city may be beneficial in that respect. We could also look at the tax treatment within the scheme, specifically a potential increase in allowances or, as Mr. Shakespeare and Ms Farrelly mentioned previously, a possible conversion to a grant mechanism. There is an opportunity in the scheme. To get it to the scale people are talking about, it would need a rethink and a part overhaul. However, it could withstand that. It is probably the last of that particular type of urban regeneration programme that could benefit from a rethink or a tweak. It is perhaps something to look at as we go into the budget cycle towards the end of the year. With some changes, strong communication and perhaps some local management, it could work very well.

Arthur's Quay is a sister site adjacent to the Opera site in Limerick. We are working with a number of partners at the site regarding how it could be developed. That work is ongoing. I believe there are opportunities. Abutting that site is the site for the university campus in the city centre. There is a ring of development emerging. Arthur's Quay will be redeveloped as part of that programme, which is exciting because one can see where the city centre is nearly shifting down to that riverside area and the waterfront, which was supported under the urban regeneration and development fund and the Government's schemes. Limerick received some €116 million to make that happen. It will be a significant project.

The Cleeves' site is in master planning and the consultants are looking at that. I imagine they will look at all options around residential, mixed use and commercial, and how that mix will be. It will most definitely be looked at for social and affordable.

On the infrastructure of O'Connell Street, we are on-site and we are disrupting Limerick city centre a little bit at the moment. I am sure our traders are hopeful. They have been very patient so far and with a little bit more patience we will get the benefit. There have not been many changes because we are working to the panning permission on it and we must be careful of it. The revitalisation project was designed to cater for more pedestrianisation, a reduced thoroughfare, a specific public transport lane, a reduction to one motor lane from the current two lanes and a lot more paving animation on the public side. Once we get through the works and people begin to see each phase emerge, hopefully they will be very impressed and happy with it. It will really future-proof the main street in Limerick. It will be quite exciting. I hope I have answered the members' questions.