Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)

Yes, it was a fair question. Such a partnership is very intricate because the process, by its nature, requires that a decision be made under a specific set of circumstances. It is therefore appropriate to be pedantic in terms of the fulfilment of all the detailed requirements of the PPP.

The point being made by the Deputy was whether there is much flexibility in the PPP, as there is in other types of contracts. It would be fair to state there is not. The PPP process is a very exacting process which must go through various clearances. An agreement is made between the partner — the public body promoting the project — and the other institutions or developing bodies involved. It is a necessarily complex process that does not allow for any large degree of flexibility once the process has commenced. It is fair to say that is the case.

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