Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As I said the last time this matter was raised in the House, it is important to point out that I am not in any way condoning what happened in this matter. This was an error and it is not to my acceptance or that of the OPW. We want to remedy it and make sure we move forward with as good a relationship as possible with the landlord. To that end, I have met the Chairman of the Office of Public Works on a number of occasions to see how we can best move forward on this issue. The best available route to do so is, as the Chairman has committed to do today, to have a face-to-face meeting, at the earliest possible opportunity, between the landlord and the Commissioners of the OPW. Covid restrictions allowing, that will happen as quickly as possible. In recent correspondence, which has been publicly enunciated through the medium of a "Prime Time" programme, of which I am sure the Deputy is aware, the landlord stated that he is anxious that the situation be ameliorated. The OPW will work constructively with the landlord on that basis.

See this speech in context