Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Ms McGrath. Deputy Catherine Connolly is the lead speaker today and will have 20 minutes. The second speaker will be Deputy Peter Burke who will have 15 minutes. Every member called thereafter will have ten minutes.

Before I call Deputy Catherine Connolly, I wish to refer to one aspect of the report by the Comptroller and Auditor General. It is dealt with on page 55 and concerns the cost of the pilot project schemes. I have two brief questions. The report was completed in 2015 and published earlier this year. My first query relates to the costs contracted up to 31 December 2014. Perhaps Ms McGrath might clarify if the OPW has an update on the costs incurred on the pilot projects in the subsequent 18 months. Considering that the information we have available is 18 months old, where are we today?

My second query relates to two items listed in the appendices which give me cause for great concern. The first concerns the figure in paragraph A1 - cost of the River Lee pilot project. The principal contract value was €1.048 million but the outturn up to 18 months ago was €2.199 million. That represents an increase of €1.151 million or 110% above the original contract value. What happened and what went so wrong that the contract went over 100% above the contract price? I do not even know if that is the complete figure.

I also refer the committee to the figure in paragraph A5 - River Shannon CFRAM study, for costs up until 2014. At the bottom of the appendix the OPW states: "The expenditure to date includes payments for additional work totalling just over €692,000 and payment of compensation claims of just over €305,000." Perhaps the OPW might explain why the figure of €692,000 was not built in to the original contract proposal and why there is the big figure of €305,000 for compensation payments? What are the current figures for the cost of the River Lee and River Shannon projects?