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

My Department and I play a role in appraising and further understanding cost-benefit analyses that come into our Department. However, this is the case not just with analyses that come in from independent boards, but also with those that come in from Departments.

To respond to the Deputy's second question about the participation of officials of mine on boards, we have seen a greater clarity now regarding the roles and responsibilities that individuals should have when they are on these boards. I have a small number of officials who may serve on boards of other projects. I continue to be of the view that their first line of reporting should be to the line Minister for a given project.

My experience of the national children's hospital project has reaffirmed that to me. We have all drawn many lessons from the difficulties that have developed with that project, however.

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