Mr. Michael Nolan:

I will defer to my colleagues shortly but, to start off, one of the benefits of early contractor involvement in new engineering contracts is that contractors are best placed to fill in the gaps designers miss because they are very experienced in civil engineering and de-risking projects. This is not a new form of contract. It is used all over the world. Work on most highways in England makes use of early contractor involvement. It is only when all of the site is exposed that all of the risks are seen. One cannot expose all of the site in the contract. It is not a house; these projects have a massive and very varied footprint. Much of the ground in Cork along the River Lee is made ground and is very sensitive because it is former marshland. The Vice Chairman asked why all of this work was not done before stage 1. The rationale for having this stage and the early involvement of contractors was exactly that. If contractors are involved later in the process claims of disruption can arise during the contract. This process allows us to collaborate. The project is an alliance or collaboration with the contractor. We get the benefits of their experience, expertise and foresight to ensure de-risking. All investment in stage 1 is aimed at de-risking the project. I will hand over to Mr. Walsh to expand on that.