Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
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I am not sure whether it fits, but huge lessons will be learned here. I appreciate it is not easy for witnesses to sit there. However, we have a responsibility to the public and there is no point in hoodwinking them. There will be an exponential increase in the final cost of this hospital. We should be aware of it and not minimise it. We did not see it coming in 2016 when the contracts were negotiated. Deputy Carthy mentioned 6%. We will go way above 6% as all the witnesses know. There is no point in sitting here trying to admonish me for asking the questions. We need to know this and factor it in. We need to learn the lessons and ensure value for money in future. I do not ask questions to put the witnesses on the spot, but they are the ones tasked with providing this hospital. I am not being smart in any way but that is what we are here for. If I recollect, we started at approximately €1.433 billion and we are now at over €1.7 billion. Mr. Gunning is shaking his head. He can correct me.