Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Let me state what Mr. Barrett said at the joint Oireachtas committee meeting, "Would I make the same decision today after all that has happened? No ... I made [the decision] in good faith ... I was never trying to hide anything. A recommendation came to me ... [I thought] I had the authority [for that] ... decision". Ultimately, the request came from Mr. Hill. It went to the CFO and subsequently went up the chain for decision-making. The secret payment itself was concealed among four individuals. It never went for board approval.