Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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We are looking at nearly €2.2 billion in total. That is a large amount of money. The Exchequer figures are good at the moment, but if there was a dip in the economy - we have seen a dip in some revenue streams in the first quarter of this year, for example, corporation tax, and they may or may not recover - or it tilted in the wrong direction, trying to fund this €2.2 billion or €3 billion per year could start causing problems.

Apart from its cost, this issue is having a wider effect on local economies. It is taking out hotels and other facilities that were creating jobs locally. There are still some jobs, only fewer. There are effects on tourism. North Tipperary was mentioned. If someone stood at the front gate of the Racket Hall Country House Hotel and looked to the right, he or she would be looking straight into County Laois. That hotel served much of south Laois. I have attended weddings and functions for community groups there over the years. Six or seven major facilities have been taken out of the county, with very little left behind. This is happening more widely as well.

We need to try to accelerate things. There have been discussion documents and the report made recommendations. I believe the report was chaired by a retired judge by the name of May.