Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

That is a question for other people to answer. I was very clear in answering the question that the Chairman put to me. I am not today seeking to assign responsibility or blame for what happened to any individual or party. As a Minister who is accountable to the Dáil for how money within my Department is spent and who deals with issues such as this all the time, I stand over my observation that projects that double in cost cause grave difficulties in terms of progress.

On the question regarding the Government's commitment to the A5 project, this was recorded as recently as the Stormont House Agreement. I have reiterated that the Government is committed to providing €25 million across 2016 and 2017. Yesterday's meeting of Monaghan County Council and the two matters arising were mentioned. On the difference between the estimates of €1.5 million and €2 million, I regret that I am unable to answer that question now, but I will forward a response on the matter to the committee. In regard to the commitment to provide €1.5 million to progress that work, I cannot give that commitment now for all the reasons I have outlined. I will take on board what the committee has said on this matter.