Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)

——have suggested that this was a type of pre-election stunt on my part. That is far from the case. It will proceed. All the naysayers and back stabbers who believe I have an illicit motive in announcing the commencement of that work will see in the next couple of weeks that I am correct and that the project is proceeding. That is also the case with the Prison Service facility in Longford, which I hope will be the subject of accelerated planning processes. It is hoped the construction process will commence in the autumn. It is likely to be the first of the decentralised projects. I am grateful to Senator Bannon for attending the opening ceremony and to the local county manager for his efforts to ensure all these projects are supported and assisted and that Longford, which was disappointed by the Cardinal Health decision, will be adequately compensated by other sustainable, long-term jobs and short-term construction projects. I am doing my bit to ensure Longford does well economically.