Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)

Drafting of the tender documents is already under way. It is intended that this documentation will be finalised by the first quarter of 2008. The procedure should take approximately 12 months. The first part of 2008 will largely be taken up with the design of the tender process and various other procedures that have to take place, including notifications to the Official Journal of the European Union, and so on.

The question raised by the Deputy is also a matter of concern for me. T2 is scheduled to be operational in early 2010. The tender process is being geared towards ensuring that this will not be held up by a delay in appointing the operator.

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