Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I have the floor. I am fully committed to these projects going ahead. They are part of a hugely ambitious programme that we have delivered on in the past, including right through Covid, and we are determined to deliver on it this year. We need additional funding to do that and we are in discussion and communication with the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform, and the Minister on it. I want to acknowledge that they also have demands across a variety of other issues and Departments. They are engaging with us on a positive basis, however, and I am confident that there will be a positive outcome to this. We are seeking to have that outcome in the shortest timeframe possible. The discussions and engagement are ongoing but we are committed to this, and at no stage have we ever said these projects will not continue. These projects will continue and the timing of them will be determined by the availability of funding from the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform.

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