Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Thursday, 23 January 2014

Public Accounts Committee

Business of Committee

10:00 am

Photo of John McGuinnessJohn McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

No. 3A.2 is dated 23 December 2013 from Dr. Ambrose McLoughlin, Secretary General of the Department of Health re further information requested at our meeting of 19 December. This is to be noted and published. Some of the issues relate to the CRC and will be considered when we receive the special report.
No. 3B covers individual correspondence. No. 3B.1 is dated 10 January 2014 from Mr. Jackie Dunne, 59 Glenview Park, Tallaght re misappropriation of public funds by the National Transport Authority, NTA. This is to be noted and a copy forwarded to the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport for a note on the issues raised.
No. 3B.2 relates to correspondence received on 15, 16, 17 and 19 January 2014 from Mr. Robert Tonney re a public meeting in Westport, County Mayo. This is to be noted. Mr. Tonney has invited members to attend a meeting he is organising in Westport on 3 March. Members can make direct contact with him if they wish to attend.
No. 3B.3 is dated 10 and 17 January 2014 from Mr. William Treacy re lack of transparency in the Committee of Public Accounts and Horse Racing Ireland. This is to be noted.
No. 3B.4 was received on 6 January 2014 from Mr. Edward Stevenson re the hepatitis C tribunal. This is to be noted. The clerk will write a note on the issues involved and circulate it to members.
No. 3B.5 is dated 20 January 2014 from Mr. Bernard Purcell, editor of the Irish Worldre our audit of Irish charities in the UK. This is to be noted. A reply will issue to Mr. Purcell setting out the position of the committee.
No. 3B.6 is dated 14 January 2014 from the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation re a reply to correspondence from Mr. Frank Russell. This is to be noted and forwarded to Mr. Russell.
No. 3C covers documents relating to today's meeting. No. 3C.1 is correspondence received on 16 January 2014 from Mr. Martin Callinan, Commissioner of An Garda Síochána, re briefing papers for matters to be considered today. This is to be noted and published.
No. 3C.2 is correspondence received 17 January 2014 from Mr. Maurice McCabe re penalty point hearings. This is to be noted.
No. 3C.3 was received on 22 January 2014 from Mr. Martin Callinan, Commissioner of An Garda Síochána, re his opening statement.
No. 3C.4 was received on 22 January 2014 from the Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality re documentation received from Mr. John Wilson on the termination of penalty points. This is to be noted. The information relates to the issues before us today and the previous documentation from Mr. Wilson and Mr. McCabe. Mr. McCabe has been notified of the decision of our meeting last night and has been asked to take legal advice and decide whether he wants to appear before us next Thursday, which will be a matter for the committee. He has indicated that he will write to the clerk in that regard.
No. 4 covers reports, statements and accounts received since our meeting of 16 January. They are listed from Nos. 4.1 to 4.6. Regarding No. 4.5 on the 2012 annual report and accounts of the environment fund, there is a clear audit opinion, but attention is drawn to note No. 1, which discloses that a private sector operator of landfill sites went into receivership in 2012 owing landfill levies of €4.6 million to the fund. We will examine this matter under the Vote of the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government. Is that agreed? Agreed.
Our work programme is on screen. Arising from decisions made at last night's meeting, it will be amended to facilitate the hearing with the Garda whistleblower.
Does any other business arise? Can we agree Thursday's meeting? Pending final arrangements with the whistleblower, the committee will deal with the 2012 annual report and appropriation accounts of the Comptroller and Auditor General on Vote 13: Office of Public Works, Chapter 6 - land swap arrangements in the provision of affordable houses. Is that agreed? Agreed.

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