Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail)
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I wish to bring the matter to a conclusion. It is clear we need to send a transcript of this session to the Clerk of the Dáil. The points made will be well enumerated in the transcript and will enable him to respond.

We should write directly to the OPW regarding its role, tendering process and advice, as well as clarifying when it became involved. Reference was made to the issue of head height and that it transpired the room had to be changed entirely. I do not know why the head height in the room into which the machine was subsequently put was not identified in the first place. We need to know the reason for changing rooms. I will ask the OPW to supply that information as well as further detail on the cost of its work, the tendering process and the designs and processes it had in place. We need to know whether the figure supplied is final and when the Oireachtas will receive the final bill.

It is worth noting an issue that has arisen in other instances dealt with by the committee. The job was separated into five lots related to the various aspects of the machine. One tender was received in respect of each of the five lots. One would think there would have been more than one expression of interest in a printing contract of this scale at a European level. Three companies visited the premises initially and the contract was then broken down. Three companies successfully tendered to provide various parts but it seems that only one response was received in respect of each of the five lots. Although it went through a competitive process, the market did not produce any price competition. The Oireachtas only got one submission for each lot. We will get clarification on that issue.

I thank Mr. Finnegan for presenting such a comprehensive report within a short time. It does not answer all the questions on the matter. This is stage one, but it is a very good start given that the issue only came to light in recent days. He acknowledges there are some unanswered questions. He has not had time to answer every question in the few days he had to prepare the report. We wish to give him time to so do and to respond to the points that have been raised at this meeting. Similarly, we will write directly to the OPW for its full input regarding tendering, costs and its role and advice on the matter. I will give Mr. Finnegan and the OPW until 10 December to respond because the last meeting of the committee in 2019 will be on 12 December. I am not saying it will be necessary for the parties to appear before the committee, but we need this matter fully closed off before our last meeting of the year, which is on 12 December. We want both organisations to have submitted a report to us by 10 December. When we see the responses to the questions, we can then decide what to do next. We are still gathering facts and information, which is very important.