Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I accept that, but my question relates to procurement and my question comes from the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General that I read last night. Regarding consultancy, and assuming I were to accept what Mr. Griffin said at face value, I will outline what is reported about consultant C. Consultant C was employed at a daily rate of €1,230. Further work was contracted for in March 2012 with the approval of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform for a so-called all-inclusive fee of €2,000. However, payments totalled €38,000. I would like to hear from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform at this stage because I am a bit at sea as to how we end up with these daily rates of €600, €800, €1,200, open-ended contracts and no tendering process.

Before Ms Austin comes in, I have a further question for Mr. Griffin. Are consultants A, B, C, D, E and F still working on this project?