Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)

Before the Deputy says anything else, I wish to make a point that I may not get another opportunity to make. It is not political and I will write to him if he wants me to. We are in the middle of a procurement process for metro north. Bidders have submitted bids and must finalise bids before the end of the year. Casting doubts on the future of metro north in this House could give rise to difficulties with the tender process. I ask the Deputy to accept my assurance that the tender process will go ahead, as will the project if it is in the budgetary limits we set. I know Deputy Broughan is trying to ensure it goes ahead but raising doubts about it in the House does not help the tender process.

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