Page 1379 - Week 05 - Tuesday, 13 May 2014
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
head contractors closed in April, and there is an evaluation of that tender now underway. No, the planning system has not delayed it. But, as we move into the next stage, presuming I know what the next supplementary is, the opportunity for delays associated with this project is there. We know it is a very controversial project. They always are, wherever they have been built around the country. We think we have found the right block of land. We are prepared to go through extensive consultations around that block of land and seek to address concerns where we can. But we also think it is important to provide the certainty around this project in the quickest possible time to get that building built, in response to a number of comments both by this place, the Assembly, which has passed a view on it, and by judicial officers, and feedback from both Health and the corrections area of government, which are all supportive of getting this service operational as soon as possible.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr Hanson.
MR HANSON: Minister, do you take responsibility for the fact that this was not opened three years ago, as you promised it would be?
MS GALLAGHER: I take responsibility for building a secure mental health unit that is going to last for the long term, and I think the decision to change our mind from its original location was the right one. I think, when costs blew out—
Mr Hanson: Just on a point of relevance, Madam Speaker, the minister may be getting to it but my question was specifically whether the minister takes responsibility for the delays and the fact that she promised to open this three years ago and it has not been opened. It was specifically about responsibility for the failure to fulfil her promise rather than actually for building the facility sometime in the future.
MADAM SPEAKER: Stop the clock. On the point of order, I heard the Chief Minister say early in the piece that she took responsibility, and I presume that she is going to answer the rest of the question. But I remind the Chief Minister what the question is and ask her to be directly relevant.
MS GALLAGHER: Thank you, Madam Speaker, and thank you for your direction. In relation to this project—and I think it is fair to understand some of the complexities around it—when we took the decision to have it built at Symonston, and the costs for this facility, I wanted to review those costs to make sure that those costs were reasonable. We have done that work now. We have also reviewed the service in light of the jail being open for a number of years and also other services opening up in the surrounding area. I think that is me taking responsibility for doing my job properly and for making sure—
Mr Hanson: Madam Speaker—
MADAM SPEAKER: Have you got a point of order, Mr Hanson?
Mr Hanson: Yes, I do have a point of order.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video