David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I do not want to be unfair to any witness who came before the Committee of Public Accounts. At this stage, I do not want to say we were misled because we have to analyse the questions, the responses and the correction that has now been made fairly. The questions asked by Deputy Catherine Connolly, other members and me were specific. They concerned the rent being paid in the year to which we had referred. It now seems that rent was being paid. Very direct questions were asked and for the life of me, I cannot see how the responses given could have been given because the witnesses would have known that rent was being paid. It was not a slip of the tongue. If it was a question in passing, I could have understood the response. However, the questions were continuous and we probed the responses we received. The discussion did not involve just one question. I am a little concerned about this. At a time when the fund is being reduced, my understanding is any rent payment will have to come from the fund which inclues money that should be going to the survivors. That is our real concern. There are questions for the OPW, from which we need to hear. We also seek clarification from the Comptroller and Auditor General, which would be helpful.