Michael Harty (Clare, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Does PricewaterhouseCoopers, PwC, have the expertise to forensically examine the original tender documents and the bills of quantities that were presented? The report PwC will provide at the end of March will not have substance if it does not have that expertise. We need to forensically examine the original bill of quantities and procurement documents to find out exactly what was being asked.

Was there a target cost for the hospital? It would appear that the two-stage process allowed the costs to escalate without having any target cost. Most building projects have a price and the project will be accommodated at that price. It appears, in this instance, there was no cap on price. It was allowed to develop between the contractor, the design team, the quantity surveyors and all the other participants in the project who came up with a cost as the project developed. That is where the problem lies. The Minister might address those questions.