Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)

I could not agree with the Senator more and it is the Minister who has only just gone out the door. While it has taken so long to get to where we are, we have moved a long way. As the Senator said at the outset, many different bodies and agencies have been involved to get to where we are. I have shown huge commitment to this project as has the Taoiseach. We visited the site to look at it at first-hand.The work being done at 14-17 Moore Street is phenomenal. It is painstaking and slow work that takes an awful lot of time, but next year when we get contractors on site, we will see it progress much faster. I remember Moore Street as it was when I first learned to drive a car. We still do nearly all of our shopping on Moore Street and to see it change so much, when I returned there only recently, frightens me in a sense. This project will enhance that whole part of the city and do an awful lot for tourism and the people of Dublin. While it is important for the whole country, it is particularly so for the people of Dublin who cherish this area, as do I and as does everybody in the House. We will work together going forward. I assure the Senator that, with my commitment as Minister of State for the Office of Public Works and that of my colleagues, we will fully progress the scheme.