Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The question of whether it was unusual was never put to me. I have no reason to disbelieve people. We need to be clear that the procurement estimate of €431 million was based on the best information available at the time. The Deputy is aware that this estimate was based on data relating to non-domestic usage. It was also based on group water data. It is not entirely accurate to suggest there was a big jump from €431 million to €539 million in a short period. While that figure was cited a number of times in the months prior to completion of the tendering process, it was the last estimate available. That does not mean it was the last estimate available a few months previously. It was an estimate that had been in circulation for some time. The period of time for a jump of that nature is not exactly accurate. We must also remember that a tendering process was ongoing.

Obviously within that time period if there was new data or a re-analysis of the actual cost, it was not something that would be made public in the middle of a tendering process.

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