Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy did not hear a year ago that there is a new Minister in the Department. This will be a significant spend by the State when it happens and we need to make sure that we are getting value for money and that the controls are in place to ensure that we protect the interests of the State in terms of expenditure. We need to make sure it works. The former Minister, Deputy Naughten, did an extraordinary volume of good work preparing the way for getting this done and I want to recognise that. My understanding is that the Minister, Deputy Bruton, is now close to being in a position to bring a recommendation to Government, which will involve a significant decision by the Government if we choose to proceed.

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