Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will make a comment or observation. There must be a change in strategic thinking within Departments so there is not so much emphasis on cash. They seem to operate on the cash available in a year. There should have been a way to consider that project strategically. This was an unusual issue and there should have been a process that would not involve the waste of €4 million in taxpayers' money. The witnesses have indicated the project could not be completed so the funding was not made available. However, the Department put €4 million of taxpayers' money down the drain. There should be strategic commercial and financial decision making within Departments, particularly with capital projects. I can understand the issue with revenue projects. Capital projects should be considered on a multi-annual basis as distinct from a yearly basis.