Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)

I understand the Deputy's argument very well. In recent weeks, I met with the chamber of commerce along with the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Deputy Coveney, and other colleagues on this very subject. Yesterday, I answered a question from Deputy Ciarán Lynch on the same issue. My officials are anxious to engage with the company involved. Unfortunately, when Deputy Harrington talks about the proposal being time-sensitive, the company must appreciate that it cannot re-enter discussions with the Department to say that the previous understanding in respect of its willingness to discharge the cost of the installation of a branching unit has now changed, yet at the same time expect us to decide it in a matter of days. That cannot be done. There are procedures there, more especially where there is a second applicant, which there is. In those circumstances, we must be careful not just about issues like value for money, but also that we comply with the strictures applying to us. Other than that, I am entirely at one with Deputy Harrington.

See this speech in context