Gerry Horkan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

If the NDFA wishes to use it, which is not the impression I have, there is a relatively easy mechanism in place to quantify the amount DIF believes to be outstanding. This would allow us to put a figure on the table and the subcontractors could either agree or disagree with it or argue for or against it. Let us at least quantify exactly what is involved here, whether it is €20 million, €14 million or €6 million or whether the biggest sum owed to a contractor is €250,000. To a small business that might earn €10,000 in net annual profit, €250,000 equates to profits for 25 years, which is the length of the contract for the schools bundle in question. These companies do not make much money after they have paid their expenses, local authority rates and rents and paid USC and employer's PAYE on behalf of workers. As Mr. Cahillane outlined, the margins are very small. I stand to be corrected but I understand, after three days of considering this issue in this committee, that €250,000 is the largest amount of money outstanding. Will Mr. Cahillane give a commitment to ask DIF and PPP Co, which he acknowledged are effectively the same, for a list of the moneys they believe are outstanding in respect of Carillion?