David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I will stop Mr. Ó Foghlú there because I do not want retrospective excuses. In real time, when somebody was making a decision and estimating a cost, what information did he or she have at the time? One can look back afterwards and say X, Y and Z was not envisaged. What information did the Department have at its disposal? This is not provided in the briefing document or in the opening statement. How did the Department come up with the initial forecast of €250 million? This is important because this is the reason we are only going to get 14% of the overall cost from the religious congregations. The amount committed to by them in the initial indemnity agreement, which they are legally obliged to pay, is based on the €250 million forecast.