Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)

I reiterate that draft heads of terms, including on the purchase price, have been agreed in respect of the new site. Therefore, there has been progress. The matter is now with the Department of Transport. I have no doubt that the Deputy will exert pressure on the Minister for Transport, Deputy Darragh O’Brien, to the same extent that he has exerted it on the OPW. It now needs to sanction the necessary funding and give authorisation to proceed with the purchase of the site. That is currently awaited. My advice to the Deputy is that he should channel his efforts in this regard to move things on.

At a time when we have all read about, and been aghast by, some of the projects that the OPW has sanctioned, and the funding it has spent on some projects, it is important that it carries out due diligence to ensure value for money on what is a very important project for Courtown and the wider area. No one will thank the organisation if something is deemed considerably excessive.

See this speech in context