Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)

There are issues to be addressed by the Tánaiste regarding the Taoiseach's house. He must also address the issue of Thornton Hall. Serious questions on this matter have not been answered. It is clear that the value of agricultural land in that area was approximately €25,000 per acre. I have a list of eight properties in the area which were sold for an average price of €25,000 per acre. A 238 acre site nearby, at Grange Farm, Kilbride, was sold by public auction, the best indicator of market value, for €26,000 per acre in the months following the purchase of Thornton Hall. How can anybody justify the payment of €200,000 per acre for a farm of 150 acres? I have long claimed that this was the dearest farm in Europe.

The only part of value in the farm was an extra five acres which was included in the original verbal arrangement — the original verbal arrangement was 155 acres for €29.9 million. Somehow the only five acres that had zoning was excluded in the deal that was finally done. That was the only part of value but no explanation has ever been given for the change. This deal was crazy from every point of view. It was an outrageous blunder on the part of the Minister.

The circumstances of the deal and the manner in which it was arrived at have never been properly explained. How did the Minister become aware of this farm? Why was it not made available in response to the original advertisements? Why did it not comply with the criteria laid down by the public servants who were dealing with the matter? Why was there a litany of errors, as described by the Comptroller and Auditor General, in the purchase of the farm? Why did the Prison Service end up negotiating with a single party with no effective degree of competition, as pointed out by the Comptroller and Auditor General?

Why were no comprehensive site surveys carried out on the farm before the purchase was completed? The deal was completed in seven days. Why was there no comprehensive costing of the work that would be necessary after acquisition to enable the site to be used for a prison? This was, in poker terms, a bum deal. The Minister has not explained why he was party to such a deal. He has not explained how it began, how it was conducted or how it concluded.

Regardless of how long this Government lasts, and it looks as if it will not be long, this is an issue that will not go away. This must be explained, particularly by the Progressive Democrats. The Progressive Democrats have suggested that they have an interest in the taxpayer and in value for money. How could anybody suggest that buying a farm worth €25,000 per acre by paying €200,000 per acre from taxpayers' money gives the slightest consideration to the taxpayer? This will be a millstone around the necks of the Progressive Democrats. It will be remembered in the election, regardless of whether it is held next week, next month or next year.

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