The overspend bill sits at over €1 billion but we ask in context of other projects has the children's hospital really blown the budget? 

The Finance Minister has said the Government is working on future savings for the National Children’s Hospital but that the best option is to move ahead with the contract.  

But while the current overspend on this project sits at €1 billion we need to ask whether this is really significant when you look at the wider health over spend of the last five years which culminates to over € 8 billion  

Joining us to discuss is public affairs consultant and Irish Examiner columnist Gerard Howlin