Mr. Paul Maloney:

I was reassured by the fact that she had said at the meeting - I refer to the minutes of the meeting of 24 October - the circumstances had not changed. Paragraph 3.2 noted what this figure was based on and it was on that basis that the authority would make inquiries. She did not say it there and I do not think it is fair for me to give my recollection at this stage because it was so long ago, but in answer to the Deputy's clear question, I want to give a clear answer, which Mr. Bradshaw also gave. First, I had no doubt my formal notification to the second highest official in the then Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government that the circumstances had changed was clear and, second, it was not the first time. At the meeting of 3 October valuations were being given of between €300 million and €400 million, at which the same person was present; therefore, I was quite comfortable that the Department knew, but I cannot comment on the internal workings of the Department because I was not privy to them.