Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)

There is an issue about certainty. With regard to the contracts that will be signed in a couple of weeks with three contenders, is there a clause in the contract stating that moneys will be subject to approval by the Department of Finance? I understand that an bord snip nua has not yet met with the Minister or the Department. Is it possible that recommendations would come from that group advising that this fund be slashed? The fund appears to be vulnerable, at least to attack, because of its nature. What assurance can the Minister offer? People are investing their money and commitment in developing an important energy resource and they should not be treated in a way the Minister appears to foresee they might be treated.

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