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

I am sure that does not surprise the Acting Chairman.

I welcome the exchange here this morning. It has been quite informative, from toilet rolls to refurbishment. I hope it will help those outside of the debate to understand what went on in this project.

I can ask some questions on this matter because we are now dealing with the OPW, not the Department. I can feel free to ask those questions.

First, I want to place on public record the fact that the OPW has responded to me and has informed me that at no stage, through either written correspondence or meetings, telephone calls or e-mails, did I have anything whatsoever to do with this project. The OPW took full responsibility for the project.

My questions are simple enough in a way because I did not have an involvement in it. However, I am curious about the process and how the OPW gets to spend that kind of money.

The OPW received an e-mail request on 5 July 2007 on the provision of this office. Who, in the then Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, was that from?