In 1994 an investigation was carried out by a Dail Committee of Public Accounts into the Creek Marina at Kilrush, Co Clare. It was found that once work began on the marina the costs began to spiral out of control. Initial costs in 1988 estimated the figure at £3.8 million for the recreation/leisure facility. Another £3.2 million was to come from the private sector but never arrived. By 1989 the overall cost had risen to £12.5 million. Finally a scaled-down version was built at a cost of more than £6 million. In the words of the Dail Committee on Public Accounts of the time: "The State ended up paying almost twice what was originally estimated as its share of the entire project but only got half the project planned."

For around £3 million at that time a 50-metre swimming pool could have been built anywhere in the country. Or the Equestrian Games, which were to be held in Ireland this year but were abandoned due to a shortfall of around £2.5 million, could have been funded. The competition, which was to be staged at Punchestown, would have given a much-needed boost to the Irish equine industry. In tandem, the team of athletes chosen to represent Ireland at this year's Youth Olympic Games could have travelled to Moscow. No Irish team will now travel because only half of the necessary £147,000 funding was made available. Some 104 athletes and 35 officials were due to take part in the event.