Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)

This seems to be one of those cases involving a voluntary group in which all sorts of legalities and difficulties are being thrown up. I am sure that as a backbencher for many years, the Minister threw up his hands in despair about how pedantic the State could become. In this case the lessee will be the HSE. I often used to ask the question when in government, "Can we get it into our heads that there is only one Government in the country?" The agencies involved should not act as if they are competing against each other. It was hard to get that message across and the Minister will also find it hard. I know, however, that with his determination he will overcome that "silo" view of the world. Will he try to expedite this issue and agree to a meeting between Coiste Áras Rónáin, the HSE, departmental officials and the county council? That would help the committee in providing the relevant information and might simplify the procedures required to be followed. Ultimately, the State is the tenant and I cannot understand the reason we must make matters so complicated. I am sure if all the parties involved got around the table, they would crack in one day what might take months to crack with letters going back and forth. I have experience of trying to get the State to move away from the "silo" attitude and know it can be difficult. However, I hope the Minister, like me, will do his best to ensure this attitude does not prevail.

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