Examination of Witnesses (Questions 140-141)
NORTHERN IRELAND
DEPARTMENT OF
CULTURE, ARTS
AND LEISURE
2 NOVEMBER 2004
Q140 Chairman: Just one last question.
You said that a number of valuable lessons have been learned,
what is the most valuable lesson you have learned from this?
Dr McGinley: I think clarity at
the outset, both about the purpose of a project but also the roles
and responsibilities of those concerned with the delivery of it.
Chairman: Right. Dr McGinley, thank you
very much for appearing before us. We have greatly enjoyed this
hearing. In terms of money wasted, £5 million is small change
for this Committee. Only last week we looked at the MoD which
had wasted a quarter of a billion pounds on eight helicopters
that cannot fly if it is cloudy. Having said that though, £5
million is important. It is not so much the sum of money that
concerns me or, indeed, that you finally pulled the plug, it was
probably the right thing to do. It was that this money was dripped
in as my colleague, Mr Bacon, articulated in penny packets and
there appeared to be a lack of joined-up thinking between Government
departments on this and we would have hoped in a province such
as this this is the whole point of government here, that you should
be able to have joined-up thinking when you have got fewer departments
on a smaller scale from Whitehall. I am sure you have learned
valuable lessons. I hope you have not felt that you have been
a sacrificial lamb coming before us.
Dr McGinley: Not at all, Chairman.
Q141 Chairman: We have been impressed
by your ability and charm and the way you have answered our questions.
Thank you very much.
Dr McGinley: Thank you, Chairman,
I appreciate it.
Chairman: Thank you.
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