Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

My understanding is that we sent the document on Friday evening, which was the last time the Department effectively updated the position. The point of a Supplementary Estimate is that it is essentially an extra Estimate before the end of the year, as things change all the time. The idea that we can give a week's notice misses the point of a Supplementary Estimate. This is about trying to get as accurate and as current a picture of the financial affairs of the Department, as they have changed. It is a good news story, which I will outline in a moment, as to why there is a need for a significant Supplementary Estimate. I take the Deputy's point that it is very hard for the committee to engage in a detailed way in a discussion like this without having time to study the figures in the different areas.

However, there certainly was no effort on our part to hold back information. We sent information knowing that we had a committee meeting today. My understanding is that it was forwarded on Friday evening. That is as much notice as the Department was able to give on this occasion in order that it could be as accurate and current as possible on the figures.