Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)

I appreciate that the Deputy has been raising this for many years. I appreciate the reasons for that, and I have huge respect for that. This is the approach that has been taken. From my perspective as Minister, I will be keen to see this move forward as quickly as possible with what sits within my control. I am concerned about the interaction with the infrastructure guidelines and the revision process that is ongoing with the Department of public expenditure and reform to make sure the delivery of these projects is done as quickly as possible. The question about whether, for example, we need four business cases or two businesses cases, as the Deputy said, when so much work has gone into it already to be further delayed by infrastructure guidelines such as they are would not be acceptable. That is a body of work I can take responsibility for by interacting with the Department of public expenditure and reform, and also the speed with which it moves with regard to my own Department. However, I do have very strong respect for the background work the Deputy has done and the way in which she has advocated for this month after month in this House when she has been a Member, and I understand the reasons for that. I look forward to going on Thursday to see for myself.

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