Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Thursday, 12 October 2017

Public Accounts Committee

Business of Committee

9:00 am

Photo of David CullinaneDavid Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The last point is pertinent. Had we received answers at the last meeting - I was not here - we might not have to revisit the issue.

On the report from the secretariat, it was good and useful in that it set out what our remit was and was not. That is useful for us in influencing what decision we will make. I have looked at five areas of concern that fall within the committee's remit, some of which were not reflected in the report. The first is the criteria outlined at the meeting by the acting Commissioner and those cited in the report: the consultation procedures and the involvement of HR which would involve Mr. Barrett and evidence, process and procedures for decision-making which do fall within the remit of the Committee of Public Accounts. Also to be considered are the criteria used in considering the closure of the station and delays in providing the committee with the report. The latter issue rests with the Department of Justice and Equality. For that reason, I support Teachta Alan Kelly in saying we do need to have people come here. I reiterate the point I made at the last meeting that I would prefer if, at the end of the proposed meeting, we had a very short report giving our view. Notwithstanding the secretariat's constructive and helpful report, it is our committee. Obviously, we have a series of concerns and questions. Let us ask them, tease them out and produce a very short report giving our opinion.

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