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

The Department was aware at that point from the papers that were shared that the board was going to be reviewing, assessing and making a decision about that. As I have said to the Deputy, in the papers supplied to us it was not clear what level of community engagement or consultation had taken place on the matter. It was only on the Friday before the announcement was made that my officials in my Department became fully aware of what was proposed and that an announcement was due to be made.