Luke Flanagan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Members attended this meeting to find out whether we are getting good value for money. In a nutshell, Deputy Boyd Barrett put it very well in that, ultimately, it is a question of whether members agree with Mr. Tierney when he tells them he got good value for money. Other than that, if they do not agree with him, it is tough luck. I agree with that and on that basis, members must consider other factors and the point I mentioned earlier has not been addressed.

Members came here today seeking evidence of much more comprehensive oversight and monitoring in controlling expenditure. This is not my sentence but is an old sentence from the Local Government Audit Service and this issue has not been addressed. Were a football team that I follow to take on someone who had been relegated with teams during the previous ten seasons, I would kick up a row about it. That is football but I am talking about water and there is no more important issue than that. Members need to nail this. The public is not happy with the manner in which the money is being spent and there is a public perception problem. How is that helped when it has been stated about the past work of the person who is running this most important service, that there needed to be evidence of much more comprehensive oversight in monitoring and controlling expenditure? If all that members have to go on is trust and if that trust is based on past experience, I for one do not want Mr. Tierney running this company. It is as simple as that. Put it on the record.