Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)

What are the practical implication of the steps outlined by the Minister for some of the disasters over which this Government has presided? Last week, the Committee of Public Accounts was told that a commitment has been made to rent premises for the machines at a cost of €700,000 per annum or another €14 million. How does the Minister's new system accord with that?

Todays newspapers reported on the court case between the National Aquatic Centre and Campus Stadium Ireland Development, of which the Minister is one of three shareholders, concerning a sublease used by a businessman to attract tax breaks of €2.8 million per year, with a cap of €34 million, on a State funded public infrastructure project costing €62 million. I visited the complex on several occasions and found major structural faults with it, including leaks and unacceptable use of treated water. I ask the Minister to go from the general to the specific by explaining how we will avoid similar fiascoes in future.

He apologised today for the €56 million in misplaced health services money which has apparently been rediscovered. Does anybody know how to keep the accounts of the Department of Health and Children?

Many of the measures referred to by the Minister in his 12 point plan are welcome but how are they being implemented and is he taking any personal responsibility for them? For example, along with the Taoiseach and the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, he is a shareholder in Campus Stadium Ireland Development. This valuable project located in my constituency appears to be in jeopardy because of gross incompetence and mismanagement.

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