Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)

I know the Deputy is trying to be helpful in this regard and I am not trying to be smart about it. However, I do not believe anything can be done in the middle of a tendering process. One of the criteria which must be used by the RPA in deciding on the preferred bidder will be whether or not it is financially able to support the project. The RPA and others would be in a position to talk to the European Investment Bank and to ascertain what might or might not be available because they are responsible for the tender. I am sure that facility is also available to the consortia. However, I do not believe we can become directly involved or give any kind of preferential treatment. Those who bid must be in a position to put the finances in place because it is one of the criteria.

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