With agreement from Teachtaí Nash and McGuinness, may Deputy Ó Murchú take Question No. 80 now, before he takes the Chair? Agreed.

Sentiment score: 0.17

Brevity.

Sentiment score: 0.00

I would like it if the Minister detailed the steps that are going to be taken to ensure that planned expenditure on projects under the national development plan are properly costed and that the projects have realistic start and completion dates. Many have been frustrated in that we have seen far too many cost overruns and a lack of completion dates.

Sentiment score: -0.03

It is very hard for people to have faith in the Government, definitely on the back of what the previous Government oversaw regarding the national children’s hospital, cost overruns, there being no idea of a completion date, and a change in completion dates. The current Government needs to take this seriously, just as it needs to take seriously the need to stop the wastage of public money. It is incredible that there is a wall – I looked at it – that cost the guts of half a million euro. It is also incredible that we have a bike shelter here that cost an arm and a leg and a security hut just up the road from here that cost €1.4 million. Regarding all such matters, it is extremely important that the Government take value for money seriously and tackle the issues of cost overruns and completion dates. I hope this will be an absolute priority for the Minister.

Sentiment score: 0.17

It is very difficult for people to believe that this will be taken seriously by the Government because we have been seeing more crazy sums of public money being wasted. I will have a Bill forthcoming in this Dáil which will clearly help to identify cost overruns, deficient contractors and wasteful public procurement spending of public moneys. I know this is the first time the Minister and I have worked together like this, but when I point out issues and things I do not agree with, I like to come with legislation that I believe can tackle them. I hope we can work constructively together on these issues and try to bring in legislation that will stop this kind of wasteful spend. Obviously, I do not expect the Minister to agree to my Bill when he has not seen it, but I do hope we can work constructively together. I have not congratulated the Minister and the Minister of State on their new positions so I do that now and I hope we can all work together constructively.

Sentiment score: 0.24