Mr. Robert Watt:

I thank the Deputy and it is good to see him. I have had the opportunity to appear before many committees in this role for a number of years. It has always been my understanding that such matters are up to the accounting official or accountable official or person; I am not the Accounting Officer here today of course but I am the accountable person and the lead person of the Department. I take responsibility for the Department and actions with the Department. In taking that responsibility I am here with my colleagues trying to answer all the questions put by the committee. If we cannot do so, we can come back to them in a written procedure. It is my decision as to who comes before the committee. The key issue of procurement in this matter related to the derogation from the standard form in the context of the contracts committee. Mr. Feeney is the chairman of the contracts committee and he is here to answer any detailed questions that members have in that respect. I understand Mr. Quinn will appear before an Oireachtas committee in his capacity as a member of the national children's hospital board.