Paul Connaughton (Galway East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle for giving me the opportunity to speak on this issue, even for a short time.

I welcome the Bill and even though I may not be able to support it, it certainly is in the right area. While I greatly welcome the Minister's statement that there will be a regulator with a proper department, the biggest problem in this regard brings us back to a point made by Deputy Tom Barry on the need to ensure such a department will be properly resourced and given the powers to do its job. One of the most serious problems is the lack of accountability. It appears to be everyone's fault and no one's fault at the same time. People are being given a rap on their hands, but no one appears to be held responsible.

In many ways, the scandal at the Central Remedial Clinic, CRC, was almost like Christmas-time again for politicians, as they can jump up and down, wave their hands and be appalled and dismayed. While this happens in so many other scandals, ultimately, the real problem is whether anyone is ever held responsible for any of these actions. In this case, people want to see action more than words. While I acknowledge what Deputy Derek Keating was trying to say about getting the money back to the CRC, I would rather see it returned as the former chief executive officer is not entitled to it. Speaking as a member of the Committee of Public Accounts, when asked about his lump sum payment, he gave a figure of €200,000, although he knew that another €500,000 had been included in the payment. Instead of appearing before the Committee of Public Accounts and being wrapped on the knuckles, he must pay it back. I acknowledge that the HSE has stated it may consider doing so.

There is a wider issue with regard to pay gaps in the public sector. This all emerged from the making of a top-up payment which now has unravelled into something much bigger. Moreover, as Deputy Michael Colreavy stated, this may not be the end of the matter either and perhaps there is a great deal more to it. We must arrive at a position where when a pay cap is imposed in the public sector, in particular, it is adhered to. Perhaps this is something on which the Government has not been overly strong heretofore and I hope it is something that can change now. Members should be under no illusions - what has happened at the CRC has done tremendous damage to the charity sector. I spoke to people over the weekend who will not give to that charity again because they believe the money went straight into the back pocket of a man who simply did not deserve it.

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