Results 641-660 of 8,015 for speaker:Jonathan O'Brien

Public Accounts Committee: Oversight and Implementation of Capital Projects and the Role of Public Officials on State Boards: Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the Office of Government Procurement (7 Mar 2019)

Jonathan O'Brien: There are a number of checklists that the Departments have to complete. One of these looks at future spending and if a proper appraisal has been done of whether projects will be within budget.

Public Accounts Committee: Oversight and Implementation of Capital Projects and the Role of Public Officials on State Boards: Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the Office of Government Procurement (7 Mar 2019)

Jonathan O'Brien: The assessment submitted by the Department of Health to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in June gave no indication that there was an issue, despite-----

Public Accounts Committee: Oversight and Implementation of Capital Projects and the Role of Public Officials on State Boards: Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the Office of Government Procurement (7 Mar 2019)

Jonathan O'Brien: I refer to the assessment of June 2018.

Public Accounts Committee: Oversight and Implementation of Capital Projects and the Role of Public Officials on State Boards: Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the Office of Government Procurement (7 Mar 2019)

Jonathan O'Brien: We know from the minutes of the hospital development board, which is another reason Mr. Quinn's attendance at this meeting would have been useful, that there was an indication as far back as March 2018 of a potential costs overrun. Was that reflected in the assessment report submitted to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in June 2018?

Public Accounts Committee: Oversight and Implementation of Capital Projects and the Role of Public Officials on State Boards: Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the Office of Government Procurement (7 Mar 2019)

Jonathan O'Brien: When did Mr. Watt become aware of the massive overrun?

Public Accounts Committee: Oversight and Implementation of Capital Projects and the Role of Public Officials on State Boards: Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the Office of Government Procurement (7 Mar 2019)

Jonathan O'Brien: Nobody told Mr. Watt there was an issue. Despite the matter being discussed at various committee meetings of the development board and the head of the Office of Government Procurement having all of this knowledge, nobody saw fit to tell Mr. Watt or any of his officials.

Public Accounts Committee: Oversight and Implementation of Capital Projects and the Role of Public Officials on State Boards: Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the Office of Government Procurement (7 Mar 2019)

Jonathan O'Brien: Does Mr. Watt not agree that that was a major failure of processes?

Public Accounts Committee: Oversight and Implementation of Capital Projects and the Role of Public Officials on State Boards: Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the Office of Government Procurement (7 Mar 2019)

Jonathan O'Brien: It would have been nice to know given that we were in the middle of budget negotiations.

Public Accounts Committee: Oversight and Implementation of Capital Projects and the Role of Public Officials on State Boards: Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the Office of Government Procurement (7 Mar 2019)

Jonathan O'Brien: I do not wish to eat into another's member's time.

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Brexit Supports (7 Mar 2019)

Jonathan O'Brien: 57. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if she has sought the waiving of state aid rules from the European Commission to assist the domestic economy from Brexit fallout; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10631/19]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: National Children's Hospital Expenditure (5 Mar 2019)

Jonathan O'Brien: I disagree with the Minister's point that if he did not go with the lowest price, he would be criticised. If we had followed the legislation and had analysed the lowest bid and could prove that it was unable to fulfil the contractual obligations for that price and if the bidder was disqualified on the basis, I do not see how anybody could have criticised the Minister in such a scenario.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Capital Expenditure Programme (5 Mar 2019)

Jonathan O'Brien: I acknowledge that even with the cut, there is an increase in the Government's capital spend. The Minister has listed the items, some of which include the rescheduling of payments. I think only two are related to the subject we have just discussed - the flood relief scheme and the re-profiling of payments in the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. Everything else...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Capital Expenditure Programme (5 Mar 2019)

Jonathan O'Brien: Will the same process need to be undertaken next year to find savings within the Department to meet the ongoing overrun or is this a once-off €99 million in 2019 and that is it? As the Minister knows the overrun on the paediatric hospital is €450 million, leaving another €351 million. Is he saying this process will continue for a number of years or is this the only...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Capital Expenditure Programme (5 Mar 2019)

Jonathan O'Brien: 48. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the capital projects to be delayed or deferred in 2019 to 2022 as a result of the cost overruns in the national children’s hospital; when the details of these deferrals will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10630/19]

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Flood Relief Schemes Status (5 Mar 2019)

Jonathan O'Brien: 42. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the flood relief schemes or capital projects that will be affected by the re-profiling of €3 million worth of investment under the flood risk management programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10674/19]

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Flood Relief Schemes Status (5 Mar 2019)

Jonathan O'Brien: Are there flood relief schemes or projects which have been affected by the re-profiling of €3 million worth of investment as recently discussed in the debate on the Revised Estimates?

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Flood Relief Schemes Status (5 Mar 2019)

Jonathan O'Brien: I am not doubting or questioning that they will be delivered. What I am asking is whether there will be delays in meeting some of the completion dates previously outlined or whether the start dates of some projects will be put back. There may be reasons for putting them back, including planning reasons or whatever else, and if that is the case, I am sure the Minister of State will tell me,...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Flood Relief Schemes Status (5 Mar 2019)

Jonathan O'Brien: I want to clarify that none of the schemes is being delayed as a result of the re-profiling but because of other external factors which freed up the money within the budget to be reallocated. If that is the case, I welcome it, but there has been some confusion. However, if that is the answer, I accept it fully. Will the Minister of State clarify that no projects have been delayed as a...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Public Procurement Tenders (5 Mar 2019)

Jonathan O'Brien: The derogation was to move away from the standard contracting practice to a two-phase practice, not to deal with the abnormally low contract price that came in. Why was the guidance and law related to the statutory instrument not adhered to and implemented with regard to this project when there was an abnormally low contracting price compared with the other prices tendered for? One of the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Public Procurement Tenders (5 Mar 2019)

Jonathan O'Brien: 40. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which he has issued guidance notes or oversight of the regulation of abnormally low tenders since 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10673/19]