Brian Stanley (Laois, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I was just following the pattern of the others. In his submission, Professor Reeves stated that the current procurement process should be terminated and a more affordable alternative should be explored. Would the ESB or a model based on ESB Networks be a viable alternative? I ask this in the spirit of trying to be helpful and to move the matter further along. Given Dr. Palcic's experience of studying PPPs and his broader experience in procurement processes, and considering that we have been told that a lot of the heavy lifting has been done in the context of detailed analysis and so on - there have been 80 people working hard on this so there is a lot of information, experience and learning already built up - generally speaking, do our guests believe that we could complete a competitive tender and procurement process within one year or so? I have a related query that may tie the three pieces together.

The witnesses are familiar with the negotiated procedure without prior public notice that can be used. Could that be used to select the ESB or a similar body to deliver the NBP without a competitive tender?