Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The short answer is "Yes". The Government rules nothing out in terms of trying to further reduce the costs of this project. When the Deputy talks about the figure of €1.7 billion, I need to point out it is not all Exchequer funding. I know it is a relatively small point but it is one I need to make. The Government has not signed off on a figure of €1.7 billion of capital costs for the national children's hospital. That is an important point to make. I am satisfied enough that I made a recommendation to the Government that we proceed with this project. I could not think of an alternative recommendation that would be worthy of the children of Ireland so I made the recommendation to proceed with the project. The Government considered it as a collective and decided to proceed but it was not delighted when it did so, rather it was really frustrated. The Deputy is right; that is an understatement. Such is the scale that the words "frustrated" and"disappointment" are understatements. We will be led by the PwC report in terms of what further avenues are available. I assure the Deputy that if further avenues are available, we will not be found wanting. I do not want to eat into the Deputy's time but the Secretary General-----