Marc MacSharry (Fianna Fail)

We have consulted with everyone. We have seen no capital outlay to go to St. Angela's, minimal changes in terms of additional staff and the students are already in place. This represents great value for money. There is no doubt the consultant recommended going to UCD and people in the Department agreed with that. It is the Minister's prerogative and duty to examine the entire picture and make an informed objective decision without being clouded in any way by any vested interest.

He certainly did not ignore the reports. In fact, the reports helped to facilitate the best and most logical outcome, one that is in line with Government policy in terms of the national spatial strategy and balanced regional development. There is no third level institution in the NUI north of the line from Dublin to Galway except for St. Angela's College. In a report which I notice did not come under the freedom of information but was commissioned by a Sligo group, PKS Consultants, it is estimated that to build a greenfield site to facilitate the students on an annual basis would cost in the region of €12 million. Many of the facilities needed are in UCD. The report states that specialist kitchens would be required. One is in the multi-million dollar area in terms of putting these facilities in place. Better value for money means going to St. Angela's.