Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Cuirim fáilte ar ais roimh na finnéithe go léir. Cuirim fáilte roimh an Uasal Leonard. Is bean í i measc na bhfear arís. I welcome the witnesses and the briefing documents given to us. I have looked at them as best I can. Perhaps a wiser person might stay quiet and listen more, but we have to ask questions. I have looked again at Mr. Watt's opening statement. I welcome the confirmation that there will be publication of the post-project reviews, I hope within the next few weeks. That is the clear statement I hear. However, it would have been more helpful if it had beenincluded in Mr. Watt's opening statement as a recognition of the necessity for it. It would have been helpful in instilling confidence, particularly as it was the one item identified in the chapter by the Comptroller and Auditor General. It was the subject of a very specific request or recommendation, but it was not dealt with in the opening statement, which is to be regretted, but it is welcome that he is now saying he will progress the matter.

I will clarify a few little things. Are we now saying the policy is to move away a little from PPPs? Significantly, in the chapter the Comptroller and Auditor General points out that in 2012 the figure was €6.1 billion. In 2016 it was €9.6 billion. Does Mr. Watt expect it to reduce in the next few years? Is there a change in policy?