Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Absolutely. We will be looking at capital projects and if it falls easily under that heading when we come to discuss capital projects, then we will do that.

We will also write back on this. Perhaps we were not specific enough. We asked for details on the comprehensive appraisal with regard to budgeted projects. In our letter we also asked for details on how the costs estimations could be improved. There was a long list of good intentions supplied in the document but they are all in the future. We want to see timescales. We will write back seeking specific timescales on the second question.

One issue we did not address in our letter to the Secretary General, which I would like be addressed at this stage, is the whole question of value for money, which was not mentioned anywhere in the document. Perhaps we did not specifically ask this but while it is fine to talk about cost appraisals, we need to know the assessment process as to whether a project meets the value for money criteria, which is a basic requirement for major projects. We want a detailed note of how that happened and how it is integrated into the approval process for any major projects.

We also had clarification on the use of the two-stage contracting process and any derogation from lump sum contracts or common standard contracts since 2011. There is a list of 12 or 13 items that got a derogation from the lump sum contracts or were two-stage contracting processes. This will be noted and published. If anyone wants to follow that up then please do so. We will come back to this topic as part of our overall look at capital projects. Is that agreed? Agreed.

No. 2087B from Mr. Maurice Quinn provides information requested by the committee regarding expenditure on ships for the Naval Service. This reply is on foot of correspondence from a member of the public who queried such expenditure in light of perceived issues regarding recruitment. The Secretary General provides information regarding recruitment in 2018 and so far this year. We will note and publish that response. There is a lot of interesting information included about ships being retired that are more than 35 years of age, and other information on the Naval Service being obliged to commission a number of new ships in light of other ships being decommissioned, including on the time it takes to deal with this. This letter will be noted and published. It will be of interest to some people.

No. 2091B is from Commissioner Mark O'Mahoney at the Tax Appeals Commission, responding to our request for further information regarding appeals that are closed. The committee had asked for details on those appeals. The commission points out that the request should be directed to the Revenue Commissioners. The committee will write to the Revenue Commissioners requesting the details on those cases that were before the Tax Appeals Commission that are either closed or have been withdrawn. A large amount of money is involved in many of the cases we highlighted. We are concerned about what was the final outcome for the taxpayer. We will ask the Revenue Commissioners to give the committee a note on that. It is up to Revenue to calculate that figure. The Tax Appeals Commission makes the overall decision but it is up to Revenue to do the sums afterwards. Am I right in this?