Martin Mansergh (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)

I make no attempt to deny that there has been a shift in the Government's position on this matter. I participated in a debate on this issue in the Seanad in June 2008 at which point the clear course being pursued was to locate the theatre at George's Dock. Since then, there has been a shift in thinking of which I became aware at a meeting with the Taoiseach, the Minister and the Secretary General last June. Once I was aware of that, I instructed officials in the Office of Public Works accordingly. I understand the GPO was considered some years ago as one of four or five options, so limited work had already been done on it. On the question of consultants, the vast majority, if not all, of the work is being done in-house by the Office of Public Works.

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