Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The term Mr. Watt used previously when asked about the final costs was that there is no point in speculating. Does he understand how even that phrase would lead to consternation among many considering that in 2016 we had an estimated cost from his Department of €800 million, which increased to €983 million in 2018 and to €1.43 billion in 2019? Since then the Department has been refusing to speculate, as Mr. Watt put it, and that has lead to fears the costs will be substantially more. The figure of €2 billion has been set out. Does he recognise there is a failure on the part of the Department to be transparent, which means it is difficult for this committee to meet its obligations with regard to accountability when we do not have and are not being provided with that information?