Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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The letter answers a question that was not asked. At least, I do not believe we asked for a definitive final cost. We asked for an estimate of the final cost. The Department's response refers to a definitive estimate, though, which is a contradictory term in itself. Something is either definitive or an estimate. We asked for an estimate. It is not feasible for the Department to say it does not have an estimate and that the Department of Health is managing the situation. What is the purpose of the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform in the first instance if it is not monitoring one of the largest and most expensive public expenditure projects the country is undertaking? We need to revert to the Department. To be clear, we are asking for its latest estimate of the final cost, understanding that there may be variations upwards or downwards.

It is not the person who wrote this letter who will be paying for the hospital on his own, nor will it be the Department. It will be the taxpayers – the public – of Ireland, and they have an entitlement to know what the end cost will be. This matter is particularly pertinent because we know that, as part of what was arguably one of the worst public expenditure contracts ever signed, the State is on the hook for inflation costs on everything above 4%. There will be no sharing of them. That is the agreement which the State signed. The position of the Departments of Health and Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform, stated before this committee, is still that this was a good contract. They are the only ones in the country who believe that, apart from the developers. It is reaching the point where we need accountability in this matter. I propose we write back to the Department.