The MHK who asked about an oversight which has cost the Manx taxpayer over ?2 million says he is pleased to have received an apology, but feels the treasury minister avoided questions on the issue.

In Tynwald this week Allan Bell was grilled for around 20 minutes on the failure of his department to forward-buy Euros for payment of the runway extension project at Ronaldsway.

The increased strength of the Euro against the pound has led to an additional bill of ?2.2 million.

Mr Bell admitted mistakes had been made and said the matter would be investigated by the Public Accounts Committee.

But one of the questioners, Rushen MHK Juan Watterson, feels Mr Bell avoided answering all the legitimate questions which were put by Tynwald members.

He told Manx Radio:

"I don't accept the response that just because you have put something to the Public Accounts Committee that abrogates you from your responsibility to answer questions.

"I think it's somewhat demonstrative of Mr Bell's arrogant attitude towards some Tynwald members.

"The Public Accounts Committee has a significant job of work on at all times, so this is something that is going to have to fit into the programme, although I'm pretty confident, speaking to other members of the committee, that this is going to get quite a high priority."