Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

There are three factors that I am clear on that have contributed to the issue facing us, the first of which is the general effect of cost inflation. Cost inflation has grown at a quicker pace than was anticipated when the original figures for the project were identified. Second, a number of specialised forms of work need to be done and have, in turn, become even more expensive, for example, electrical engineering. Third, as the project was being moved forward, the clinical standards and design of the hospital began to evolve, which had an effect on the cost.