Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Mr. Gunning and his team for attending. The last time Mr. Gunning was before the committee was July 2023. Much of the statement is probably in line with what was delivered then, except the figures have changed, the timelines have changed and it is getting more serious. Probably the saddest element of Mr. Gunning's statement is the fact there is not one room in the national children's hospital that is fit for purpose to accommodate a young sick child. It is a reflection of the disaster this project has been to date.

In February 2024, the NPHDB received sanction from Government for €1.88 billion. I sat here in July 2023 and put it to Mr. Gunning that the cost of the children's hospital could be €2.5 billion. It was not appreciated at that time that I put that figure on it. Now we see the potential liability is not far off that figure. Is there a further request going into Government in the coming weeks and months for additional funding and what now is the top-line figure Mr. Gunning expects the children's hospital will cost, given the difficulties there are with BAM and given the significant claims it has made? Some claims may be duplicated, some may be disputed but, clearly, it will succeed with some. What is now the top-line figure Mr. Gunning is able to indicate to us will be the cost of the national children's hospital to the taxpayer?