Bobby Aylward (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

That is why I asked about the financial plan and the cost efficiency. That is the important point. If there is only one bidder how will the Department be so sure? All sorts of figures are being bandied around. We heard first that it would cost the taxpayer €1 billion, now €3 billion or a higher figure is being mentioned. There is a big difference between €1 billion and €3 billion or maybe €4 billion. Are these just figures that are being thrown about, and the taxpayer will pay the bill? Will we have the witnesses in here next year or in two years' time talking about a waste of taxpayers' money on the cost? How can Mr. Griffin give us a guarantee that this will be cost efficient?