Eric Byrne (Dublin South Central, Labour) | Oireachtas source

A terrible crime was perpetrated against the Irish people, who have a strong affinity with the people of northern Uganda who have suffered. As has been mentioned, the area was devastated by the Lord's Resistance Army. We know the history of the region. The conducting of fraudulent activities by a government to divert Irish taxpayers' money is a crime that I hope will reach the proper authorities in Uganda and lead to the jailing of those involved. The Prime Minister's office and officials have been mentioned. Is it premature to suggest that the Prime Minister may have been a perpetrator of the crime, or is it a case of corruption at lower levels? If that is the case, can the officials reassure me that the office of the attorney general is safe from political repercussions? Irish Aid, our officials and this committee should take a bow, because we have aided and empowered the Ugandan accountants in the office of the auditor general to effectively expose a crime committed against Irish taxpayers. That is laudable and may be important down the line. Having returned from Sierra Leone, we know the government structures are weak and need strengthening. This will be an issue for Irish Aid in the future.

Do the officials think the Auditor General's office is secure from repercussions? Can they confirm that we have supported the empowerment of the Auditor General, who effectively prevented the commission of fraud?