Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for his response. I have a few questions arising from it. Provision was made for €53.9 million. How much of that money will be needed to solve the problem in Newbridge? I am very mindful that this money is ultimately being paid by other credit unions which are all paying levies into the credit institutions resolution fund so there is no such thing as a victimless crime.

In respect of investigations, what lessons have been learned from a national point of view? How can we be sure that what happened in Newbridge never happens again? What investigations have taken place to discover the cause of what happened and to make sure lessons have been learned from that? Has there been any criminal investigation into what happened? Has there been a review of the role of the Central Bank and the levels of governance that were applied? While I know it was a period of light-touch regulation and it was not the only financial institution to run into difficulties due to that, what review has taken place?

The building is probably one of the finest and most iconic buildings in the town of Newbridge and might in some respects have been part of the problem due to its cost. It is a fine building of which the people of Newbridge feel a very strong sense of ownership. I would like information about the OPW's role in acquiring this building, the future uses of the building and the Intreo services that have been mooted and discussed around the town. We do not have Intreo services in Newbridge and they would be very beneficial for us given that Intreo is a single point of contact for people who need access to supports to get back into employment. This is something we very much need in the Newbridge area. I have also raised with the Minister of State the need for a community use for that building that would support existing and start-up businesses in order that the building could be used for the community to the maximum extent possible.

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