Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It is undoubtedly the case that lessons need to be learned from the national children's hospital. That is one of the reasons I have focused on introducing these reforms to the oversight of the delivery of major public capital projects. If the Deputy looks at the three measures that I have outlined, I refer to the setting up of a panel of experts to advise Departments at critical decision gates, for example, before a project goes to tender to ensure that all of the work in the detailed appraisal has been completed properly. To my mind, analysis and work done in advance of pressing the button is time and resources well spent because it pre-empts and prevents problems that would otherwise likely arise. That is a key reform. The establishment of a major projects advisory group to advise my Department will also assist in better decision-making for the Government and in ensuring we get a speedy and efficient delivery of the public capital programme.

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