Mairead Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

There have been reports across the media, etc., and this matter has come in front of this committee now. In terms of the possible impact on public finances, we heard that this would cost €20 million over the lifetime of the secondment. We can only deal with what could have actually happened. Perhaps that could have changed but we must deal with this matter now. Such a large sum would have a significant impact on public finances. Is Mr. Fraser aware of other initiatives taken by Secretaries Generals that would have had such a potential impact on public finances where the Minister would not have been fully across the detail?