John Halligan (Waterford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I give the Senator my word on that. I will follow it up for her if she sends me an email or text message in the next few days. It is important to know why the original proposal stalled. The detailed design stage for the original proposal is almost complete. It appears that a lot more was to be considered than had been thought. That does happen with major projects, which this one is. It became apparent as the project was progressing that the extent of the works to the existing building was greater than expected. The Department acknowledged that. At the time it genuinely believed it was a straightforward process and that it would proceed once the planning permission was approved. That is the reason it sought to review the position. I understand that. It would be premature for me to comment any further on how matters will progress while we are waiting for the feasibility study report. If Senator Clifford-Lee contacts me, I will make sure that she gets a weekly update on the project. I have asked the Department to do that.