Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome our witnesses. I thank them for the work that they have done in their various capacities and the work which they are about to do, as they say in all business.

Regarding the children's hospital, Mr. Gunning is probably best positioned to answer this question: how is the project progressing at the moment? I note there is a dispute management process in place and that the issue has ended up in the High Court. To what degree does he envisage the project being delayed by the failure to resolve disputes and the contractor being happy to go to court?

It is a year since we last met our guests. Have the costs remained in line with what was indicated then or have they accelerated? How many issues have been referred to the High Court and why were they referred? I presume it was because there was a failure to reach agreement and resolve the problems under the dispute management process. Can the witnesses also outline how the Blanchardstown special outreach department is operating? This matter has already been referred to. Is the unit operating as anticipated? Have there been any snags? Is the unit working efficiently and effectively and it is delivering services to the satisfaction of the witnesses? How do the staff feel about the unit? What is the difference from the point of view of job satisfaction? How are the staff responding to the new situation?