Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Taoiseach, atá tagtha ar ais ón obair thábhachtach a bhí ar siúl aige inné le Príomh-Aire na Breataine. Dá mba rud é go raibh an Taoiseach anseo, bheadh sé in ann freagra a thabhairt ar cheist faoin ghrianghraf a tógadh ar chostas €3 milliún leis an iar-Aire Micheál Ó Máirtín i gCorcaigh cúpla bliain ó shin.

The Taoiseach announced yesterday a review of procedures for the management and control of major ICT projects in the public sector. As Deputy Rabbitte noted yesterday, it seems to involve consultants reviewing consultants.

Arising from the Government decision on this matter, will the review involve a look-back audit of projects currently under way, such as the Reach project? In fairness, it has a website, www.reachservices.ie, with many links to Government agencies. I understand, however, that this cost in excess of €31 million and that €24 million of that was paid to consultants. It is a good website but it cost in excess of €31 million. Will the review announced cater for that? John Citizen contacted me by e-mail last night at 10.20 p.m. to say questions should be asked about the Reach project and whether it has been good value for money. Perhaps the review announced by Government might examine that.

Will the review examine a major project between the Health Service Executive and a company called iSOFT? This contract relates to hospital information systems projects. In 2003, iSOFT was recommended to undertake this project following a detailed review by none other than Deloitte & Touche. What has happened this €400 million project since is unclear. The Tánaiste yesterday suggested that the Minister, Deputy Martin, had put a stop to it but I have been informed that the contract for iSOFT was signed following emergency high level meetings between the Department of Health and Children, the Taoiseach's Department and the Attorney General's office earlier this year. Will the review announced yesterday include a look-back audit of projects like Reach and major projects like iSOFT?

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