Mr. Eamonn Molloy:

It includes delivery, but public bodies are dealing with all forms of public service. I will let Mr. O'Sullivan deal with the letters part of the problem.

The Deputy is making a reasonable point generally in respect of it being a vanity project, but I cannot honestly and respectfully say there is much about the project from our perspective that corresponds with what he has said. I said one would travel a long way to get as many people to do something they did not have to do. The key question is why this is being done. It is being done because it will make a significant difference. That is the feedback we are getting, not just from a relatively small number of people. There are measures with which we are dealing that will make a difference, particularly in the regions and given the competitiveness disadvantages we face, having regard to the figure of 35% for uniqueness.

The Deputy raised a number of other relevant points. We have had consultants and advisers who have done a very good job, but their job is to advise. Ultimately, the project has been driven by many of the people sitting on the public sector side of the table.

While we will take advice, one must make certain calls and stand over and take responsibility for them. I have no difficulty in being open with the committee on this issue. A contract has been awarded for the implementation of the project which was advertised last year. The PA is involved in that it was awarded the contract.