Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

My final question is the big question and maybe it cannot be answered at this point. Sitting here at each meeting, having listened to officials and having heard the questions that were raised about Bord na gCon today it occurs to me that we are giving out money even where there are governance issues with parent bodies which distribute the funds. For example, we have had the HSE before the committee with regard to Console. The issue keeps arising. Is the Department looking at this? Money goes to Bord na gCon, the Marine Institute and Horse Racing Ireland and then the Department is in here facing questions. I would love to see a proactive approach. Consider the HSE, for example, which was before the committee and justifying and auditing retrospectively. The Department is funnelling public money and then it is being asked how many times a year it is meeting - once a year in Mr. Gleeson's case or four times a year. What is the proactive plan with regard to the substantial moneys given to these bodies by the Department? The Marine Institute and Horse Racing Ireland have been mentioned here on occasions. What is the plan?