Feargal Quinn (Independent)

As an opponent of the Abbotstown fiasco, I am happy to laud this project and wish it well. It is very risky and may not turn out to be a success, but that is no different from what happened in 1987 when Dermot Desmond approached the then Taoiseach, Mr. Haughey, with his concept of a financial services centre. The Taoiseach and the Government took it on board and it became a great success. At the time it was risky and others argued against proceeding with it. In this instance, the risk is worth taking. If it succeeds, the pay-off to the national economy will be huge. Some of the figures involved have been outlined.