John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

It is clear that Professor Mey is in no way culpable for the mistakes of the past, but the attitude adopted here today has been less than helpful or forthcoming. There have been evasive answers to legitimate questions put by members to Professor Mey and her colleagues. I will make one recommendation. I hope the witnesses have the receipts for the media consultants they engaged in preparation for this. I would be going back looking for a full refund because I do not think that was value for money.

On the costs, it is clearly established now that there was no independent valuation sought or obtained for the site. The proposal made at the end of a three or three and a half hour meeting to the governing authority was very much a gun put to their head insisting a quick decision was needed. The engineering assessment suggests the structure of the building is designed to support additional floors overhead and the site has the potential to accommodate significant building. It goes on to say negotiations took account of equivalent building costs, site value return and use value. All of that is not based on fact or analysis, and that is clearly established.

The engagement of UL with Arup consultants was carried out in early May. Arup was asked to do an assessment of the site. Am I correct in that?