Gabrielle McFadden (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I support Deputy Ross on that. I feel strongly that Office of Wards of Court should be invited in. If its representatives decide not to come in, one would have to ask why they would not appear before the committee. The Committee of Public Accounts, by virtue of its title, is here to investigate things like this and this office must be accountable to somebody. We have a duty of care to these people to ensure that what is happening in their name is looked after.

I am suspicious that the service that runs the fund is not audited internally or externally. It just does not seem right. I support Deputy Shane Ross and believe it should be invited and encouraged to appear before the committee. If it does not, there is some reason for not wanting to appear before us and that would make me suspicious.