Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In regard to the first part of the Deputy's question, Project Ireland 2040 currently has a budget and an implementation board that is chaired by the Secretary General of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the Secretary General of the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government. They are considering, insofar as they can, what are the consequences of Covid-19 for current major construction projects. On the one hand, those in the construction sector are saying they are able to get back to work quickly and then, when they get back to work, they are then coming to those in this House, indicating the higher costs they are going to face. Any claim in this area is going to be inquired into and treated very seriously by my Department and the other Departments that are responsible for projects. I have heard many different demands placed upon me to get construction up and running and open again. It is now happening for big projects in the first part of the reopening and, a day or two after it happens, this issue is now being raised. Claims are going to be made, which is understandable, but we are going to challenge them and seek to understand exactly what is driving those kinds of claims.

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