Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour) | Oireachtas source

It is not every day that I compliment a Minster of State on coming to the Chamber with positive news but I do appreciate it.

Basically, in the past 48 hours, we have had confirmation that the funding is in place. I will not die in the ditch over the announcement of the amount, but I presume the amount is appropriate to the submission that was put in by Alison Harvey working with Tipperary County Council based on the meeting in January. The Minister of State might refer to that in his reply. I presume the amount will be announced once the letter has gone to the council in the coming 24 or 48 hours. It is appropriate that the council would be notified first. Pat Slattery, the man working on this, and his team will be notified. I will take the word of the Minister of State that this is what will happen. If I am wrong, he might let me know, but I take it that is the position. I have no problem with his colleagues making the announcement as long as it happens. That is not something I will die in the ditch over.

This is important and I appreciate the Minister of State coming back with positive information. I am focused on the economic issues because I believe the social issues can be addressed with an economic stimulus. Economically, this town has great potential. I have worked with Corajio Limited to create the Sky Innovation Park, which is a massive retail building that has been re-orientated to become an inward investment site. A range of former retail units is available and the planning designation has been changed.

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