Today, the Irish Examiner reports that the OPW has admitted not being able to recoup €10 million of an overpayment relating to the Department of Health building on Baggot Street. This is an incredible situation. To put it in context, we spoke about the Dublin Region Homeless Executive a couple of minutes ago, an organisation which spends €4 million a year on day services for homeless people. I understand that the owner of the building in question is Larry Goodman. I also understand that the Government was involved in a deal worth hundreds of millions of euro with private hospitals and that one of those involved in that deal was Larry Goodman. I also understand that a certain company in the beef industry has made hundreds of millions of euro paying farmers at a price below the cost of production. An individual name crops up a number of times with regard to Government deals, interactions and policies. When did the Taoiseach find out about this overpayment? Will he get the money in question back for the State?

All of these deals predate the current Government. That is the first point I will make. My understanding is that the issue relating to the Department of Health is going before the Committee of Public Accounts, which is the proper forum for it to be debated at. As Taoiseach, I do not get involved in every single operational contract or procedure that Departments conclude or engage in on a weekly or monthly basis. We do not operate on that sort of basis.

Should we not crack the whip when it comes to State funds?

The Taoiseach, without interruption.

There are proper procurement policies that are meant to be adhered to by the State and I think it is important that the proper procurement policies are adhered to and are followed. I have no doubt the Comptroller and Auditor General will examine this situation and identify what has gone wrong. Furthermore, I will obviously follow up with the Department to ensure that whatever is due to it is secured.