Mr. Seán Ó Foghlú:

I have undertaken, together with the team, extensive preparation for the meeting. We have spent a large amount of time and there have been very many internal meetings and some external meetings, in preparing to respond to the Comptroller and Auditor General's draft report, in preparing for the publication of the report and in preparation for this. It is not something we have taken lightly. Preparation for the Committee of Public Accounts is not something I take lightly as Accounting Officer. It is sometimes difficult to know what information may be sought when we are here. I have brought two folders full of information with me and have read through those, reviewed them and spent a huge amount of my personal time and my team's time preparing. I apologise for not having the minutes with me and for not being able to answer the question. Please be assured that I and the Department take my role as Accounting Officer and the Department's preparations for the Committee of Public Accounts very seriously.