Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I am sure Ms Graham can appreciate my scepticism. With the greatest respect to both ladies, Ms Graham and Ms Tallon, I am highly sceptical about the scenario they have painted of how €50 million was spent on consultants, unless they regard it as micro-management. That is the position the Minister has taken. I believe it stretches all credibility to suggest the Minister had all this information on a project such as this, given the Department’s antennae were up with respect to the use of external consultants, parliamentary questions were asked about this by Oireachtas Members but deliberately not answered, with all due respect, and the Minister did not think he should ask for that information. I find that astonishing.