Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It is a good example of the frustration involved. I included details of it in my letter to the Taoiseach. During what might have been my most recent appearance before the committee to discuss this matter, Deputy Doherty raised the issue. As I have stated previously, I believed he was acting in good faith. I do not believe he was trying to help the contractor out. At the time, I pointed out that the net effect of the position might be to help the contractor but, obviously, I fully accept the Deputy's bona fides to the effect that he was carrying out his duties.

Deputy Doherty claimed that these grilles would delay the project for many months or even a year. I do not recall exactly, but it was stated that it would delay the project for a long time and would cost tens of millions of euro. I did not have the detail to hand. The information he had was very new. Ultimately, it did not cost the €25 million that was being suggested. It cost €200,000, which is considerably less.