Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will deal with the first question as to whether, at the point at which the revised and additional costs came in for the national children's hospital, we commenced a cost-benefit analysis, as recommended in the report. We did not commence a new business case process, but what we did do - I was heavily involved in it - was sit down to look at the different options which included pausing the project where it stood and beginning the process all over again. They were the subject of much debate. The Minister, Deputy Harris, and I decided - I believe it was the right decision to make - that we would go ahead and complete the project. While it has understandably been the subject of much debate, it is noteworthy that the PwC report referred to the fact that other options available to us would be equally costly and very uncertain. What will happen in the future is, if there are additional costs above and beyond those in a business case on which the Government has signed off-----

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