Mr. Ciarán Ó hÓbáin:

At any stage in the process we are not liable for the costs of bidders. The Deputy has asked what preferred bidder status means. It clearly means that we have reached a stage in the procurement process where the Government is satisfied to take the decision where a bidder has come through and passed the evaluation and demonstrated it has met requirements. There is an intention on the part of the Government, having conferred on it preferred bidder status, to move forward to contract award, subject to the necessary steps being taken.