Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

Since Deputy Kenny has asked for my opinion, the Government is not happy with the performance of the company. While it has done a very good job in Killarney in the Kerry operation, it has not done a good job in this case. That is the reason CSID has brought the company to court. I support the action being taken. Obviously, I do not stand over the remarks made at the time.

I have already answered the question of what happened on 1 January. People have been critical of the damage caused by the freak storm. It is unfortunate it damaged a large number of buildings in the area, uprooted 200 year old trees and hit the centre. A report on the damage was commissioned by the OPW following a request from the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism in consultation with CSID. Its findings were taken into account in agreeing the repair programme with the contractor. Legal, contractual and financial issues are being considered in the light of the report.

Our primary concern at all times must be to protect the taxpayer's investment and that is what we are doing. In spite of all the exaggerations in the newspapers about leaks and cracks, the national aquatic centre is fully operational——

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