Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Given the way this review has been framed, I do not think many hold the expectation but, in theory, one of the conclusions it might come to is that the review does not hold firm and that the project should change tack. From listening to the CEO, it appears to be proceeding full steam ahead. That raises the question of the purpose of the desktop review that is being conducted by the two Italian consultants. Is it not the case that it is a waste of taxpayers' money to fudge the issue for the Minister of State's colleagues in government and to provide them with some political cover when, in truth, it is a meaningless exercise and that this project is proceeding regardless? We know that there has been further progress by local authorities in terms of the discharge of some of the planning conditions. What level of community engagement has happened? There is full resistance from the community to the project and I do not accept that it will be delivered.

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