The Secretary General of the Department of Public Expenditure Robert Watt appeared before the Public Accounts Committee this morning to discuss a number of government financed projects, including the National Children's Hospital.  Before he even appeared before the committee he received criticism over not having the Chief Procurement Officer Paul Quinn attend and allegations that he called members of the Committee a ‘mob’.

Fianna Fail TD for Sligo-Leitrim, Marc MacSharry who is a member of PAC was in attendance today and he joined Ivan in studio earlier.

The Secretary General of the Department of Public Expenditure has been accused of giving two fingers to the Public Accounts Committee.

Robert Watt appeared before the Committee this morning to discuss a number of government financed projects, including the National Children's Hospital.

However, in an 18-page opening statement Mr Watt makes no reference to the hospital - which is now expected to cost around €1.7billion.

Members of the committee also sharply criticised the fact that chief procurement officer Paul Quinn would not be attending today's hearing.

Fianna Fáil's Marc MacSharry accused Mr Watt of disrespecting the committee.

He said: "All we have is an 18-page document [that] manages not to mention the National Children's Hospital once.

"That is Harvey Smith to this committee, the two fingers: we'll do what we want, when we want."