I am determined to do all that I reasonably can to work towards a fair, equitable and timely solution to the situation faced by the former residents of Priory Hall. Last week I announced the Government’s planned course of action in this regard. I have asked my Department to make contact with the stakeholders best placed to deliver the necessary solutions and to ask the parties concerned to come together in good faith on this complex matter. The Department of the Taoiseach, the Department of Finance and my own Department have also met with representatives of the residents in order to ensure that a clear understanding of the residents' position is central to the process now underway.
I have set a strict deadline of 21 days for these discussions. I have directed my Department to report back to me and I will be glad to update members of this House on the outcome of the process at that stage.
The following information was provided under Standing Order 40A
As you are aware the Government in recent weeks has taken steps designed to bring about a resolution to the situation at Priory Hall which involves contacts between senior officials at the Department of the Taoiseach, the Department of Finance and my own Department with the stakeholders best placed to deliver the necessary solutions. A strict deadline of 21 days has been placed on these discussions at which point I will be glad to update Members on the outcome.
The matter has been raised and dealt with comprehensively in the Dáil in recent weeks having been the subject of a Topical Issues Debate on 19 September 2013 in addition to responses to several written Dáil questions by myself and oral responses by the Taoiseach during Leaders Questions.
The problems at Priory Hall are many and complex and attempts to resolve them are currently at a delicate and critical point and I would remind all concerned who are not directly involved of the need for sensitivity in this regard.
We are now nearing the end of the 21 day discussion process and I look forward to updating all Members on the outcome of this process at the earliest possible opportunity. I am alert to the commitment given by the Taoiseach at Leaders Question on 19 September 2013 and will arrange for a formal briefing of local representatives on the outcome of the process now underway and arrange for regular briefing on key developments thereafter during the implementation phase of any agreement which may arise.
