Tom Parlon (Laois-Offaly, Progressive Democrats)

Perhaps she should be more up to date, as indicated by the fact that she is surprised by the figure of €430,000. One of her Labour Party colleagues in the Seanad referred to the God-forsaken places down the country that some Departments are being sent to. I have not heard the Deputy withdraw that particular statement on behalf of her party. There is a vibrant property market in the country and it is important to note that the €22.3 million we got for a one acre site in Dublin compared to the €430,000 on average around the country still reflects very good value. There is further speculation that a site which we will be offering to the market shortly may make in the region of €50 million per acre in Dublin. It is a matter of location, location, location. We have striven to get the very best locations for the decentralised offices. The €430,000 accurately reflects the current market value of land throughout the provinces.

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