Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for taking the time to take this matter on behalf of the Minister for Transport. I accept people's bona fides in this. I accept the fact that there is an interdepartmental working group, which is absolutely the correct way to go about this, but there is a bottom line, which is that the taking over of the Shannon Heritage sites in County Clare cannot result in a negative financial impact on Clare County Council.The council executive will not tolerate it and, certainly, the members of Clare County Council will not tolerate it. I can absolutely guarantee that the ratepayers of Clare will not tolerate it. That is the bottom line. Beyond that, engagement will have to happen in terms of a significant capital investment in the future, which will include significant borrowing because of the audiovisual and all that is on offer in other facilities. We need to ensure that there is capital investment to protect the buildings in the first instance, but then improve the offering that is available to tourists. Tourists now are much more discerning and absolutely will be much more demanding in the visitor experience they would want. I welcome the Minister of State’s reply. I know it is ongoing, but for the sake of everybody, particularly the staff who are working, clarity is needed. Perhaps in the Minister of State's supplementary reply he might be able to tell me if there is a timeframe and time limit set for this working group to come back with its recommendations.