Niall Ó Donnghaile (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The other point is that the Minister of State referred to the business case for an office in the North not stacking up. I do not hear very often Ministers coming in here and citing business cases when motions, Commencement matters or other requests are being made seeking particular investment. I would be keen, therefore, to know if the business case has been carried out and, if it has, could we please be furnished with that business case? I would very much like to see it given that it has been cited today.

In that regard and specifically on the Belfast location, I made the point that I have no issue with where it goes in the North, whether it be Belfast, west of the Bann or wherever, because there is a logical and rational argument for that. Belfast City Council has a vacant to vibrant capital grant scheme, where it is encouraging investment into vacant properties and there will be all sorts of support for the Department if it has any worries about the cost. I believe it would be cost neutral, based on the parliamentary questions that party colleagues of mine have submitted.

The Irish Government already has grade A office space in Belfast. The Minister of State has already probably been in it in the course of his own work as I know that many of us have, and many people from all traditions and backgrounds go there for discussions, meetings and whatever it might be in that grade A office space. There is nothing stopping the passport service and the Department from putting half a dozen desks in that space that would act as a passport service when people need to rush and to access people for help. I ask the Minister of State to look at the existing infrastructure and see if we can exploit it.

I thank Members for their support, I thank the Minister of State for his attendance and attention, and I hope that ultimately we can get this resolved and get the office, no matter where it might be in the Six Counties, open and delivering for the people who need it. Gabhaim buíochas.