Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We are in the same range of spending as we were on the Mater site. We know that went wrong and we will not revisit that, but we are in the same range of funding and requirements before we get to the next planning decision. I know there are no certainties in this world, but most businesses take out some sort of insurance or indemnity against these types of risk. Has the board considered taking out insurance for the taxpayer in respect of that €32 million in case things go wrong, or has it built it into the tender or contract with the design team? I recognise that the latter is not responsible for getting planning permission, but if issues arise in the planning process which the board thinks are fixable or manageable, or which should have been foreseen by the various design teams and other people involved, does it have a comeback? Will they be paid the full amount even if they prepare a shoddy application or an application that does not stand up to the rigours of An Bord Pleanála? Is there a clawback mechanism from these people in terms of their professional indemnity, or does the board have an insurance policy to protect the taxpayer? The last €35 million is gone but we want to safeguard the next €32 million.