John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It is pretty clear that if I was part of a contract that was just finished, and I knew it would not be renewed because of ill feeling or a judgment that the contract was not being fulfilled properly, I would live with the issue for the few months. That is what private enterprise might do; it would grin and bear it until the end, paying far less than €80,000. I would not put my hand in my pocket for €80,000. Mr. Guiomard will appreciate why I must ask the question because the commission is putting its hand into the pocket of a taxpayer to pay the €80,000. In the course of Mr. Guiomard's consideration of the issue and payment of €80,000, was sanction required from the Department?