Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

I note with some relief the Minister's acknowledgement that there is an alternative to PPPs. On the indication of the possible use of the NPRF for major public capital works, my colleagues and I would have argued for this time after time.

Yesterday's announcement regarding Thornton Hall comes hot on the heels of the collapse of regeneration plans for some of Dublin's most marginalised communities. The common denominator between the PPP arrangements for the regeneration of St. Michael's Estate, O'Devaney Gardens, Sean McDermott Street, Dominick Street and Thornton Hall is Mr. Bernard McNamara. Irrespective of the fact that the Minister rejects the charge and despite the proven unreliability of PPPs with this particular developer, which is knowledge that the Government has had for 12 months, it is arguable that the Government has wasted approximately €11 million on site security and preparatory works on top of the original expenditure of some €30 million for a site that, as other Deputies have indicated, was only worth in the order of €6 million at the time.

I am concerned about whether Thornton Hall will ever be used for a prison and I strongly oppose any idea of co-location with a relocated Central Mental Hospital. The latter would be an outrageous proposition with which to proceed. I join with Deputy Neville in using this opportunity to appeal for a complete reappraisal of that proposition.

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