Mr. Owen Keegan:

Nobody is more concerned than I am about the costs that have been incurred on this project. I share the concern and frustration of elected members. We will only realise those costs in the event that the project does not proceed. As I stated in my report, I am satisfied - this will be subject to independent verification by the National Development Finance Agency - that if the project does proceed then subject to certain assumptions, there is a very good prospect that the Dublin local authorities will recoup the full investment they have made and more.

Let me respond to questions on the role of the elected members. Since my appointment I have responded to their concern about the "client representative" contract, which I have addressed and the contract has been terminated. I have given them a commitment that I will give a full report before any final decision is made and it is my intention to give them the draft project agreement for their consideration. I intend to submit that report to them. I understand the other local authority managers in Dublin intend to submit a similar report and the project agreement to their members. We will have regard to what the elected members say before a final decision is made. We will certainly consult them.