Joe O'Reilly (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Yes, but there are many risks. That is all a bit hazy from a Government perspective in terms of providing a service, getting it done on time and leaving very little room for doubt.

Reference was made to Mr. Colm McCarthy, which is fair enough, but is there any evidence that the companies represented here ever came together collectively in the past or made any effort to get involved? If we accept that the procurement process, as established, was too rigorous or constrained for them to participate, they did not lobby or come before this committee. These companies did not come to me as a public representative and put an alternative view. I take it that is also the case with my colleagues as I would have heard about it anecdotally. This is akin to a colleague buying a bad car which I knew it to be a bad car and then my saying to him that I knew it was a bad car when he had already bought it. Why were the witnesses not more proactive about getting involved at a critical stage in either forming our opinions or forming the Department's view. Why are they coming in at this point?