Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Deputy Moynihan rightly indicated why the Department does not give firm timelines, because we do not know what might happen during a tender process that was not anticipated. I refer, for example, to issues arising with ground conditions that were not fully anticipated. The Department does not say a project will take a specific period because, as Deputy Moynihan rightly said, people would feel frustrated at the perceived setback. As I understand it, the issue relating to the land is being finalised. That is not to say that it is not impossible that something would go wrong but the Department is fairly confident that that element is agreed and that it will be able to proceed. The tenders are being issued in respect of the ESB works, and on the successful completion of those tenders, it is expected that the work would take six to nine months. Those elements are reasonably predictable, and to prevent a delay, it is our intention to pre-qualify contractors so that we are not holding up that stage with the various enabling works are being done. We are taking an approach that cuts out any unnecessary loops. I assure the Deputy that we will keep a close eye on this to make sure that the difficult experience does not continue to frustrate people, as I well understand has been the case.

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