Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

There are a few aspects to it. The first paragraph states fit-out is also at an advanced stage in all parts of the hospital and that orders have been placed for all specialist material or medical equipment that is to be integrated into the building. One reason this matter is important is that we need to know whether there are delays or logistics issues. The March 2024 opening will very much depend on this and other factors. It may be that we can ask for clarification.

The next paragraph states the main contractor is expected to submit an updated programme for substantial completion to the employer's representative in accordance with the public works contract. It adds that, once received, this programme will be reviewed and evaluated by the employer's representative. It would be useful for us to understand the completion procedure.

The delay at a time of high inflation has added to costs. It would be useful for us to keep an eye on this completion date and if they could give us the protocols around the completion and what are they working to. Does that make sense? For instance, what still has to be done? I refer to the high-level stuff. I am not looking at the granular detail, but how they are working through that to make sure they get to the March 2024 target.

Finally, and this is at the bottom of the page, "The Contractor has referred a high value delay related dispute to conciliation and the Contractor has referred two disputes to adjudication." I am looking at the table on page 3 of the letter. There are some very large, but quite global, figures. I presume that those cases would be included in those figures. I cannot see how they would not be.