Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Thursday, 13 June 2013

Public Accounts Committee

Statement by Chairman

12:35 pm

Photo of Mary Lou McDonaldMary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Irrespective of the tension between the Government and this committee, it is a serious matter if any member feels that a strategy has been deployed to undermine the Chair or mute and scupper the work of this committee. As this meeting is being held in public session, the comments and reflections from various members require a response from the Government. We are not naive. We understand that tension with the Administration is unavoidable and, arguably, necessary in the course of our work but I hope I speak for others when I seek an assurance from the Administration that, notwithstanding this tension, there will be no attempt to undermine the necessary work we do on behalf of the taxpayer. I would like to see a statement to this effect from the highest level. It was mentioned earlier that the Taoiseach remarked on the specific matters emerging in the media. We now need a statement of understanding of and respect for our work from that highest level. Whatever position the Government takes, the members of this committee will continue to pursue our work.

The outstanding issue from this meeting revolves around a particular trip to London. We need that information, ideally by close of business today.

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