Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)

The Minister is suggesting that if planning applications are made to build the hospitals before a certain date, they will get this relief, so he is not closing this scheme off to projects that are in the pipeline. Taxpayers' money will be expended on these projects, which many regard as wrong-headed. The Minister as the gatekeeper for that taxpayers' money should insist that we have the right to see the evaluation and that the sponsors of such projects should be obliged to demonstrate the benefits to the Minister's satisfaction, according to rules on which the Revenue Commissioners will advise him and will set up.

We are in Opposition and must like it or lump it. While we do not like it, the Minister has an obligation to release this taxpayers' money into the ether to be availed of through these schemes. We have a right to see that the Minister has applied reasonable care in making sure society gets decent value for money. The Minister seems to be suggesting he will not apply reasonable care. As all of the schemes will be finished he intends that reasonable care will not be applied to any project that is underway. I do not accept the Minister's response.

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