Ms Mary Harney:

With respect, the Chairman is chairing the meeting. I ask him please to give me an opportunity to respond. We are here to answer questions. I am happy to answer any question whatsoever. This site was something we wanted for a long time. There is no comparison between procuring this facility and procuring a Dublin property that was not part of our strategic agenda. This site was sought after not only by us, but also by Limerick City Council and many other interests. The University of Limerick entered into negotiations with Dunnes Stores with property advisers and a person to advise us on value.

It is not realistic for a governing body to say, just as it would not be realistic for the Cabinet to say, that every proposal that comes before it could cure something and to ask to see all the documentation. That is not realistic.