Ms Tracey Conroy:

From the Department's perspective, we are comfortable that the two-stage process was the right process. The cost overruns are very significant and concerning. When the Government considered this last December, it agreed to proceed with phase B and to allow the instruction of the contract, given the importance of the project. That is not to lessen the very serious nature of the overruns here. That is why the Government has required the establishment of an independent review of the escalation of costs and that is necessary.

As Mr. Sullivan has outlined, that external review has been commissioned by the HSE in consultation with the Department. It began its work on Monday with a completion date in March. The view of the Department and the Minister is that it is very important that that review takes place. This is an independent external review and is being conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers. It will identify any weakness in the process here between the build board and the various key parties, such that those weaknesses can be first identified and addressed in the context of the progression now of phase B of the project.