Mr. Brian Murphy:

That is an interesting question. The observations by the Comptroller and Auditor General perhaps related to the original pilot schools project. It is important to remember that the project was called a pilot schools project for a reason. It was a pathfinder project, a trailblazing project. It was effectively the first PPP in Ireland and it was done at a time when there was not a body of understanding, expertise, procedures or policy developed. We have moved on a good deal since then. I cannot remember the exact number, but we have delivered probably 15 to 20 PPPs between roads and the various accommodation projects. Within the NDFA we have developed a huge body of policy and procedure supported by the Department's guidelines, which have evolved over the years and are based on lessons learned not only locally but internationally. In regard to each project we do, the procurement people and finance people sit down together and do a thorough look-back audit, an evaluation of how the process went, what we could have done better and what we did well, and our policies and procedures are updated continuously to reflect best practice. We also liaise extensively with our opposite numbers overseas in other markets and understand exactly what they are doing. We try to incorporate best practice in so far as it suits the market because there are different nuances in different markets. With regard to releasing detailed financial-type information, one part of me says we should be doing that, while another part of me says there are real risks involved in doing it.