David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

There is a cover letter dated 26 September 2017 in which Mr. O'Brien wrote to the clerk to the committee and attached a copy of the report. He states: "Consequently, the Service Provider was not treated either unfairly or disproportionately when compared to other similarly funded organisations." That is Mr. O'Brien's opinion and it is not the opinion of Deloitte. How can Mr. O'Brien determine whether it was treated fairly or disproportionately if Deloitte was not asked to consider it? It is something for the commission of investigation to determine. Will Mr. O'Brien explain to this committee how he can put in writing to us his view or contention that the service provider was not treated unfairly? Bear in mind that the last time Mr. O'Brien was here on this matter, he hung the opportunity of an apology to the service providers on whether they were treated fairly or unfairly. He said we would see what is in the Deloitte report but Deloitte was never in a position to determine whether the providers were treated fairly or unfairly. Maybe Mr. O'Brien should correct the record of the committee and confirm that only the commission of investigation will make the determination, and it may influence whether the providers get an apology. How was Mr. O'Brien able to put it in writing to this committee that in his view these providers were treated fairly and proportionately as opposed to unfairly and disproportionately?