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

I want to make sure the Deputy has full information in regard to that record. During the engagement on 16 June, during Deputy Carthy's contribution, the chief officer stated that claims continue to come in during the moratorium. It would appear from the correspondence before us that while the contractor continues to make claims, even though they cannot be progressed through dispute resolution, the board has not done so. I propose we request clarity from the board on this.

Witnesses are generally invited to assist us in examining their accounts. Although I could not be present at the meeting, I understand there was a poor level of engagement by the board with the committee and that was brought to the chief officer's attention. He committed to: “take it away and take note of it to consider how we can do better to fulfil these particular requirements.” The correspondence does not, to my mind, represent improvement in that regard.

Members might also recall that we requested information from the board in regard to certain contractual provisions in advance of the engagement on 16 June, and that was not provided and no explanation was given on its omission. I suggest we reiterate that request, as well as seeking an explanation for the failure to provide the information to the committee. I would also suggest we afford the chief officer the opportunity to review the transcript of the meeting on 16 June to ensure he is satisfied that the information he has provided to the committee is entirely accurate.

I want to make that point because I was not at the meeting, which was chaired by Deputy Murphy.