Mr. Niall Gleeson:

We are considering all those types of options. Consider the example of the Arklow site, a wastewater treatment plant. It represents a very significant investment in the town. We consulted the local population quite significantly over a period of probably two years to get the right site, get buy-in from the local people and avoid objections. That got through the planning process quite well. Again, we welcome the support of Oireachtas Members on that kind of issue so we can get planning permission more quickly and avoid objections in the first place.

As to procuring land in advance, we can try it on the smaller projects, where it is probably practical. Our Department gets very nervous when we put money down with the risk of not getting that site followed through. We have our friends in the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General coming in to us next year and they would be very interested in that kind of stuff. We have to be cautious. We will certainly look at every opportunity.