Barry Cowen (Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Thank you a Cheann Comhairle; you are very kind, not to mention my colleague.

We support the main thrust of the motion and thank the Labour Party for tabling it. My question relates to the commitment made earlier this year with an eye on the electorate when a local election was in the offing. The Government conferred preferred bidder status to Granahan McCourt and in doing so gave it almost carte blancheto provide a contract to be signed by both parties. The Taoiseach, as is constant during this whole saga over recent years, made a commitment that it would be signed in September. We are now in October and we are told we are not near signing stage.

I have asked this question of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and have yet to get an answer. In the event of the Government not being in a position to commit to a contract, what cost will accrue to the State for having conferred preferred bidder status to one party?

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