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

I do not believe that the figure was lowballed to influence our decision on going ahead with the project. I also do not believe it was lowballed to influence the choice of site. However, it is clear in retrospect that the initial figure was too low versus the cost we have now. When the €650 million figure was identified, which would have been in 2012 or 2013, it was based on expectations of what would happen with cost inflation and in delivering the project. It is obvious now that there has been significant change in all of those costs.