Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for his reply. As I have said before, it is like "Waiting for Godot", to the extent that I almost expect Godot to turn up at some stage in the not-too-distant future. I know the Minister cannot instruct the local authority but I suggest that the Minister might consider at a certain time encouraging and facilitating the local authority and inviting it to a meeting at which these issues could be discussed, with a view to applying sufficient encouragement to try to emphasise the urgent necessity to get the project moving once again. The reason for this is simply as follows. According to the old saying, as the Leas-Cheann Comhairle knows, "live horse and you'll get grass". However, if one waits too long for the grass to grow, the horse will die. We need this to move forward now. Ten years is long enough. The town is now beginning to experience a little bit of a recovery following the downturn in the economy, and it would be hugely important and hugely beneficial if it were possible to identify the positives, effecting investment in the town being one of the major positives. It would not be a great idea to have to wait for another year or two while the administrative works are carried out. The construction works on the town centre are already substantially complete and there is a huge issue regarding whether or not there will be a need for further planning permission.

I do not wish to delay the proceedings of the House. I thank the Minister for coming into the House to reply and I appeal to all concerned, all the bodies - we all know who they are: ten years is long enough. Godot or no Godot, we need to apply pressure from all sides to bring about a speedy resolution to something that has confused and frustrated us up to now.

See this speech in context