Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)

The Deputy may recall that the peer review group was established in the wake of the PPARS issue. My Department, rather than the Department of Finance, asked for this review to be carried out. We asked it to review the project to establish the current position. I should have the results of that review within the next few weeks. I hope it will provide a map of the way forward.

I said in my reply that the Department brought in an external expert to consider the status of the project. I saw a very interesting presentation as to its significance. Having seen the external expert's presentation, I believe that no one knew what they were talking about. Everyone concentrated on one issue, namely, the card. However, in terms of a fully operational integrated smart card system, some six or seven issues must be addressed. As far as I can gather, only one issue was being addressed. Significant fundamental issues about moneys, transfers and other governance issues were not addressed. This brought certain concerns home to me in terms of going forward. While I hope the review group will provide me with its views on the next step as far as the technology is concerned, carrying on as we are at present will not deliver the type of smart card technology or an integrated ticketing system that the public deserves.

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