Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)

An absolute commitment was given in this House by the Minister that a facility will be in place by 2010 but she has since changed her mind. The temporary facilities are not fully provided. She prevaricated and concealed what was happening and the HSE did likewise. As of ten days ago, this project was not being progressed. On Monday she announced that it would proceed in a unique way. A developer or builder is being asked to self-finance the entire project and the Government will get around to paying for it once it has been constructed. The Minister is aware that a project of this nature will cost between €30 million and €40 million and that it is Government practice to make staged payments. In view of the current financial climate and the difficulties facing this State, banks will not be falling over themselves to fund a developer on this project. She knows that her announcement may come to nothing, therefore.

In this morning's Daily Mail, the director of tendering and construction at the Construction Industry Federation, Don O'Sullivan, warned that the proposal was not sustainable, stating: "I would expect to see a very good response from the building sector to this project, but the way it is being done is not feasible in the long term." I believe the Minister's announcement is another con job. She will betray once again those who suffer from cystic fibrosis. Not only should she hang her head in shame but she should also resign because she has proved herself unfit for office and her words cannot be relied upon even when given unconditionally in this House on a manner of life and death.

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