Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

At present, there are 818 claims where there is a claimed value of €432.9 million. There are 688 of them where there are notices of dissatisfaction. They are still in dispute. That figure, we have to assume, can only go upwards. It would seem to be a substantial sum. We will look for replies on that.

In relation to the issue of the confirmation as to who is responsible for the decision not to give this committee the information, at point No. 6, I read that yesterday. It varies from the answer that we were given here in this room by the Secretary General. As I recall it, the Secretary General said that he had made the decision. I am open to correction on that. Here, sitting in this room at the final meeting before Christmas, the Secretary General said that to us. Here, it looks like it has been pushed out that maybe everyone is responsible and no one is responsible - that type of an answer. I would not be happy with that.

It also stands out that even if we accept the reasons that have been given for not furnishing this committee with it, and I do not accept those reasons, this committee has not even been furnished with any kind of estimates or parameters in terms of where this will finish up or the timelines. The last timeline we heard was probably 2025. The way this issue has been handled for over a year is not treating the Houses of the Oireachtas, this committee and the public properly. I could use words to describe that but everyone will know what I mean by this.

I suggest we bring to the attention of the Secretary General that the answer in point No. 6 is at odds with what was stated. As I said, I am open to correction. The rest of you were in the room here that day as well. Things get said at meetings, back and forth. When you are chairing, in particular, you can miss something that is going on between a member and the witnesses. As I recall it, that day the Secretary General said they took the decision. The Secretary General was pressed on that a number of times and, at one particular instance, said that. I ask that we would clarify that, maybe, if it can be, from the recordings, point out to the Secretary General there seems to be a discrepancy in what happened in the room here and what is in that, and ask if that is the case. I am open to correction. If I am wrong on it, I am wrong on it.

The other point, that is raised by Deputy Catherine Murphy in relation to point No. 5, is about there being the same legal team. I propose we raise that issue. There is also the issue at point No. 10, in relation to the sanctions. Does that cover everything that Deputy Carthy had?