Mr. Ken Spratt:

It is important for us to ensure we have all of our ducks in a row before we commit to going to procurement for big projects. We have to deal with a lot of national permitting requirements and planning requirements and a lot of EU regulations and directives as well. It is really important we get through the planning system as efficiently as we possibly can and avoid legal challenge. In order for us to do all that we have to procure expertise by way of contractors who come in to help us ensure we get through - and all with maximum value for money for the taxpayer, the Irish citizen, in mind.