Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I will ask Mr. Breslin to take some of the questions about timelines as he is better acquainted with them.

On the question of transparency, this should not have happened. I have made it clear to my officials that they should show everything to this and all other committees of the Houses and share everything with them, as appropriate. I am disappointed that the committee has not received the information it sought from members of the development board. I assume that we will undertake to follow up that matter and also presume they are watching these proceedings.

The Deputy has asked me about timelines and what I did after my Department learned on 24 August of the emerging issues. I was informed on 27 August. I take the Deputy's question to be about what I did between that day and 18 November when I went to the Government. On 27 August I was advised that there was still work to be done and that the National Paediatric Development Board had to do work with its legal and design teams as a first step, after which it would be better able to advise the Department on the next steps to be taken. The board sought and subsequently obtained a three-month window within which to conclude its guaranteed maximum price, GMP, negotiations without incurring additional costs. That is important in the context of the Deputy's following question. There were significant commercial sensitivities involved. As late as its sixth meeting which took place on 19 December, the board was told that there were still challenges related to delays in completing negotiations with the main contractor. One of the issues is protecting and trying to get the best deal for the taxpayer. Therefore, there was significant ongoing engagement and negotiations with the main contractor.