Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Stáit. Is dea-scéala é i ndáiríre. Tá sé deimhnithe anseo faoi dhó go bhfuil rudaí ag dul chun cinn, go mbeidh cead pleanála riachtanach agus go mbeidh sé á chur i bhfeidhm le linn an tréimhse trí mhí seo idir mhí Iúil agus mhí Mheán Fómhair. It is late at night and I welcome any good news at this point after a long week. In the two relevant paragraphs, the Minister of State has told us he is advised that the new facility is at an advanced stage. I have to welcome this. It is good news. He then told us that a planning application will be made in the quarter we are in now. As was pointed out by Deputy Ó Cuív, we are going into the holiday period. Looking back at the progress made since 2015, certainly the politicians have had something to do with it, but far more praise must go to the group on the ground. It is a small, dedicated group of people who have gone through winter, summer and all the other seasons. Over the two elections in my experience, they have pushed for this. We will not go into the figures because the time is up, but we need absolute certainty regarding this facility.

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