Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Does Mr. Gunning accept that the perception among the public is that there is an open chequebook for the children's hospital? When it was first presented to the public two or three years ago, the cost was €600 million to €700 million. In the space of three to four years, the cost has risen to €1.433 billion. We are in the position now where claims have been suspended. The negotiation and the determination of claims goes on all of the time, which I accept. Earlier, the proposition was put forward that the final cost could end up being €2 billion. On the basis of the history thus far, the cost has risen from €600 million to €1.4 billion. It is not unreasonable for people to make an assumption that we are looking at another €600 million to €700 million. Does Mr. Gunning accept that is a reasonable proposition?