Ms Fiona Ross:

I thank the Minister and the committee, which approved my appointment and reappointment in recent months, for inviting me to join the discussion today.

The Minister is correct that things changed when the June date became apparent. It created a different imperative in respect of substantive completion and the opening of the hospital. However, throughout the project there has been significant engagement between all the stakeholders. I sit on a number of State boards and a number of other boards in the UK and I can attest to the level of engagement of all the key stakeholders on the State side on this project. The executive reports monthly to the board. That report then goes to the lead director, which is the HSE or the client in this case, and then onwards from the HSE to the relevant stakeholders. I have had extensive engagement with officials and the Minister on the project. It is fair to say the Minister has been very engaged with this project.

The issue of "why now?" and "why then?" on the call to Royal BAM was the June date and the opportunity for an opening in 2025.