Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I do not think the mandarins, the Minister of State or the senior Minister get exactly what the Digital Hub was. It was a beacon in an area which has suffered significant dereliction through the years and has significant need for regeneration. Just when it was achieving success, it is being closed down. In fact, it has been successful from day one, but even recently it was discussing a significant contract with St. James's Hospital. I presume that is now gone out the window. It involved moving towards digital and medical devices and research and the likes. That is not going to happen under the control or the watch of the Digital Hub or Dublin City Council, which was to take over.

We have seen today that the Dublin City Council city manager basically stated that he was not consulted in any shape or form on this issue, yet when I asked about the matter last year, I was told the whole intention was for this to be transferred to Dublin City Council. That would be the logical thing to do but, because the LDA needs all this land as the State wants to pump it up in some mad way, the land is being given to it.

I have continuously pointed out that there is other State land in the vicinity which is not even being considered for housing now, but was considered for housing during the Celtic tiger. That land has not even been considered. I asked a question about that only last week and it was announced that it is not being considered. It is not just small patches of land here, there and everywhere; I am talking about an area that is even bigger than the entire Digital Hub site.

Although the Minister of State claims that those working at the Digital Hub can continue to work during the wind-down, they have basically been given a year to pack up their bags and get out. Similarly, the workers directly employed by the Digital Hub will have to pack up their bags and get out because the State has finished with them, despite the fact that it was successful and delivering work and, if you like, a greater status and hope for many young people in the area.

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