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BAM, THE CONSTRUCTION company building the National Children’s Hospital, said in a statement today that if the hospital board wants to opt out of the contract, then BAM will cooperate with this.
It also said in its statement that it did not benefit inappropriately from the tender process for the hospital. The government’s plans for the hospital have come under close scrutiny in recent weeks after it emerged that the projected cost for the project had risen to €1.7 billion.
In today’s statement, BAM said: “In recent weeks there have been many adverse comments in relation to the New Children’s Hospital. BAM wishes to confirm that it did not benefit inappropriately from the tender process and much of the commentary is based on incomplete and inaccurate information. BAM will fully engage with PwC to ensure all relevant facts are disclosed.”
The Oireachtas Public Accounts Committee heard this month that the total cost of the project is “highly unlikely” to come in under €2 billion. A figure of €983 million for the development was approved by government in 2017.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar faced questions in the Dáil this week about the cost overruns. He said that government is speeding up the reforms of the public procurement process.
Speaking in the Dáil, the Taoiseach spoke about the issue of low price tenders in relation to future government contracts. He said: “We do have a real concern that some companies are low balling, coming in with very low tender prices to get the contract, then coming back with claims thereafter.”
The Taoiseach did not mention any particular company in his comments.
BAM said today that in response to the Taoiseach’s comments in the Dáil on Tuesday, it has written to Varadkar directly “to respectfully request him to clarify that he was not referring to BAM in the Dáil and that BAM has made and continues to make a significant contribution to Ireland, including in the context of the New Children’s Hospital, where BAM is in full compliance with all its obligations”.
It continued: “BAM will continue its commitment to the New Children’s Hospital and the confidence of all parties involved is a vital requirement for the company.”
“BAM wishes to advise the hospital board that if it would prefer to opt out of this contract and procure the work in some other way, then BAM will cooperate with them to facilitate this option,” said Theo Cullinane, CEO BAM Ireland and member of the Management Board of Royal BAM Group.
Earlier this month, the Taoiseach said that the Department of Health has retained PWC, the expert accountancy and consultancy firm, to carry out an analysis of the situation.
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After going out to do a days work you expect to return home to your family……….
One of the most dangerous calls a police officer can respond to is a domestic incident. When police arrive they are dealing with two emotionally charged individuals. They then have to step in and try to restore peace or separate them. The police can then have both people turn on them. Sad to hear this incident end so tragically.
@Wingah Boffah: definitely and according to article was regular arguments at address they probably so used to calling and no trouble towards them that guard was down and didn’t expect it very sad and a domestic not like crime the centenary and to kill 2 officers over it
Why is so many articles having comments closed..charities missing funds?senior Garda death?etc,,,
@Tomas: Because the Journal is pro-government?
@Paul Culligan: thejournal are pro Leo not pro-fine gael.
@Tomas:
The risk of people being libelled with regard to the Oxfam scandal and respect for the family of the garda who died in Ballymun because it was probably suicide.
@Tomas: It’s a business and they have no financial incentive to host potentially libelous comments since those unhappy with it will just moan about it for a bit rather than actually stop visiting.
@Rochelle: They have no problem when it comes to SF stories, I’d say its almost encouraged on this site.
@Ciarán Masterson: I suppose there worried about there also worried about Kinahan investments in hotels,
Journal.ie…..open for comment? How thoughtful but you’re good at double standard
@Thosj Carroll: out of interest; do you want this comment section closed, or the other one opened? Can you really not see the difference between the two situations?
@Karen Wellington: I don’t need your lecture and I can look after myself ok
@Thosj Carroll: you could answer her question. She didn’t actually lecture you, she asked you two simple questions. Learn the difference or people might think you’re a little simple
@Ohhh_reeally: Ohhhhhhhhhj really……
Just another day in america.
@cp: yepp 400 million guns under their beds anyone can get one..i bet many americans would buy hand grenades for home security if they were allowed..
I wonder if the police officers had been lucky enough to shoot him first would the black lives matter brigade be out? America is a dangerous place for police officers.
@Michael Mclaughlin: Exactly
@Michael Mclaughlin: not if he had a gun which he clearly did. I wonder if he was white would you be even mentioning his race.
@Deborah Behan: if he were white, black lives matter wouldn’t give a s€?!.
@Michael Mclaughlin: guess what? He’s not white and they don’t give a shit. So what’s your point?
How would a wife-beater with a gun get the drop on two long-serving American cops?
Why didn’t Columbus PD sent a SWAT unit to the scene instead?
@Ciarán Masterson: Good question but SWAT unit doesn’t deal with domestic incident in first place. They deal with manhunt, terrorism, hijack….
@Thosj Carroll:
Agreed.
I was looking at the incident from an Irish point-of-view. Of course, most domestic violence fatalities in Ireland and the UK don’t involve the use of a firearm because of stricter gun law.
@Ciarán Masterson: “how would he get the drop”? Easy really, shoot them as the walk to the door is one way. There are several other ways but you’re probably too experienced in this type of situation for anyone to teach you.
@Ohhh_reeally:
Surely, American cops approaching a possibly violent situation take shelter beside the door and then burst in with their guns aiming outwards (Well, that’s what I see in “Blue Bloods”…Just saying!).
@Ciarán Masterson: ya. Hard to believe you’re an adult
For all the criticism of trump at least he has the constitution to publicly support his emergency services. Here they are used as political footballs
It’s crazy that this man who has multiple convictions for domestic abuse is still legally able to carry on his person a gun at all times! Crazy!
@Deborah Behan: Where did you get that he was allowed to legally hold a firearm from?
@Griff: well unless the police weren’t enforcing the law he was legally allowed to.
@Dave O Keeffe: Lack of enforcement doesn’t make a law void.
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