Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will endeavour to expand on each of the items about which the Deputy asked. There are no identified costs there, as the agreed cost for this project is still the €1.7 billion the Government approved. No newer additional costs have been presented to either me or the Government. Mr. Barry must continue to monitor these matters, robustly defend claims where it is appropriate to do so, and try to deliver this project in line with the budget.

The Deputy asked about Mr. Quinn's letter. He wrote to me. One cannot resign from the board without writing a letter to the Minister. He said:

Dear Minister Harris, I wish to tender my resignation from the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board with immediate effect. It has been an honour and a privilege to work on this critical project for the children of Ireland since 2013. I wish you and the Department every success in the delivery of the project in the coming years.

This must be seen in the context of a number of members of the board, who were appointed in an individual capacity, deciding they have done their bit as the project is moving on to a new phase. The Public Appointments Service then fills those vacancies. My understanding is that the competition for the vacancies will conclude on 1 November, and I expect to be in a position to fill them shortly thereafter.

See this speech in context