Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I understand that, and I understand the Minister doing her best in respect of this matter. I do not know, however, how we can get so far from where it was good news, nearly with the approval to go out to tender, and with the business case done and everything ready. Yet now we are back here again. I understood that construction was to begin, albeit in stages, before the end of this year. Now we are back looking at a foreshore licence and a compulsory purchase order.

In fairness to the council, there has not been a manager for that council for a long time. There have been acting managers. There have been problems with retention of staff and people moving. How much attention are they in a position to give to a project of this size? Are there enough staff and is there a driving force? I acknowledge that the Minister has a driving force now with the steering committee, but who is driving this in the county council? Does it have sufficient staff and expertise? At some stage, can we get a date for completion of the work? Why was the foreshore licence not applied for before this?

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