Brendan Ryan (Labour)

The Minister did not answer my question about what "commercial" means, which is a pity. For example, the Railway Procurement Agency claimed the Luas made a profit last year. While its revenue exceeded its expenditure, the agency did not include the €700 million capital cost of the infrastructure. As I try to educate young engineers, that is not a profit.

I am a little concerned about section 7(2)(d), which states "make arrangements with any person, on such terms and conditions as it considers appropriate, for the provision to it by that person of financial assistance (whether by 30 way of the provision of funds or the undertaking of works) for the development...". What does that mean? Will the Minister explain the necessity for this provision?