Brian Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail)

I am bitterly disappointed with the response. An internal memo sent by a Department official to the then Minister for Education and Skills, Mary Coughlan, on 12 January 2011, outlined three options for the project. The final option, the least favourable, although it is preferable to the response tonight, was that if planning was refused - it was - the Department of Education and Skills would at least be in a better position to seek acquisition of the additional land and to renegotiate the purchase price to current market conditions. The Department stated in January it would look at purchasing the additional lands and renegotiating the purchase price under current market conditions and would look at preparing a new planning application. Tonight the House was informed the proposed site for the school is off the agenda and the next step will now be reviewed. What does that mean? It certainly gives no comfort to the school or the board of management. It is a worrying development and I ask the Minister of State to go back to the Department and look at the school again given so much effort has been made by the board of management to bring this project to fruition. If possible, could the Department officials visit the school, meet the board of management and look at the additional land needed? Subject to that land being available and a price agreed, the school could then lodge a new planning application with the county council. If this is let drag on, I fear for the future of the project, which is crucial to the educational needs of the pupils and teachers in the school.