Peter Mathews (Dublin South, Independent) | Oireachtas source

An offer of €14 million for a hospital that might make €1 million per annum once it recovers to normal levels of activity would give a return of 7%. Without studying the issue in great deal, that appears to be roughly the right price. Mr. McAnenly is correct that there will be caveats. My experience, having spent 20 years in this business, is that one would expect caveats. The big elephant in the room that must be explained is the decision not to accept a bid which would have averted a cost to the State of €17 million. When one adds the €14 million bid to the €17 million cost, the total cost is €31 million.