Michael Mullins (Fine Gael)

I wish to ensure that when we make bad decisions, we do not repeat them. I speak in the light of the recent scrapping of the decentralisation plan of the previous Government. I ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Brendan Howlin, to come into the House to give details of the cost to the State of that foolhardy and over-ambitious plan. How much land does the State own? What did it pay for it? What buildings do we own and what did we pay for them? What is the current value of these assets? What plans does the Government have for them? Are there any community purposes for which they could be made available?