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

We do not need that. We simply want a list of the figures and the properties without legal agreement, a list of those in respect of which the Department has secured legal agreement and leases and those still outstanding. Again, Mr. Moriarty, no names are needed. What were the rents involved and the arrears in respect of these properties? We want some explanation of how it emerged in this way and what kind of expectation the Department has in terms of successfully dealing with them.

The documentation before us states that a plan is being drawn up for paid parking and I ask that the Department would forward that plan to this committee. In his opening remarks, Mr. Beamish said that the harbours were dotted like a necklace throughout the country, but it is now emerging that this is one of the most expensive necklaces the State has ever been involved in, from an historical point of view in terms of both transparency and accountability. Who was accounting within the Department? Did the previous Department have an accounts or audit function? Was there an audit committee in place during those years?