Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)

I, too, have tabled a Topical Issue matter about Dundrum House Hotel in County Tipperary. I am appalled that the Minister who is responsible for this, Deputy Foley, left this Chamber 20 minutes ago. She fled, but she cannot hide from the people. It is disgusting to treat elected representatives like this. If she was not here, I would say something, but she was here all evening in this Chamber. The contract on Dundrum House Hotel raises some very serious questions. I am extremely concerned about the lack of transparency with regard to the matter. We need to know how such a contract has been awarded to Utmasta Limited, a newly formed private company incorporated in Spain last January. The company lists a single director, Ms Ana Maria Fernandez Sanchez, with a declared income of €120. This contract for €20 million of taxpayers' money was signed in such a fashion. The Tánaiste, Simon Harris, stood in this Chamber some months ago and told me that this would all be paused. I have been running after the Minister, Deputy O'Callaghan, who will have responsibility for this on May Day, which is in two days' time. The Minister, Deputy Foley, has it now and she will not deal with it. Somebody signed this contract with a shady, dodgy company that is before the courts. Three cases have been in the courts this week across the river in this city with the receivers, the funders for the company and, indeed, the Dundrum heritage company.

I salute na daoine ó Dhún Droma i dTiobraid Árann. They are decent people. However, blackguarding has gone on here. This is taxpayers' money on a €20 million contract. It is €20 million in taxpayers' money with a paper company that is not there. We know it is the same owners who have it, and the people who have been dealing and blackguarding and who are not interested in the well-being of IPAS people. They are interested in their greasy pockets. I am shocked that the Government think they can wash their hands like Pontius Pilate. I know it is after Easter. That is what it is from the Minister, Deputy Foley, to evade this question. The Minister, Deputy O'Callaghan, is saying he has not got it. The Minister of State is here tonight. No disrespect to him; he is probably reading out an answer. However, the public need answers about enormous amounts of taxpayers' money going into companies that have no track record and as I said, are before the courts. The Department of integration was made clearly aware of this. To have signed this for 277 applicants to be put into a village of 200 people is simply GUBU territory. That is grotesque, unbelievable, bizarre and unprecedented. It is shocking.

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