David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

We all have concerns and I share all of the concerns outlined by Teachta Shane Cassells about regional publications. On the face of it, it seems as if the unit pulled off a very slick, almost sly operation and our job is to test it. Allegations and political charges are being made. It is for the Dáil Chamber to deal with the matter. What we have to do as a committee is to evaluate whether there is any truth in the allegations that have been made. I have my concerns as we can see it with our own eyes. Teachta Shane Cassells was right in everything he said and I agree with all of it. We will I hope have people before us. We have to provide them with an opportunity to prove to us that the charges made are not true. That is our role.

Teachta Catherine Connolly's point was that we needed to have a good sense of what we wanted to achieve before we invited people. That is obvious, as Teachta Shane Cassells and others said. It is obvious what we want to achieve and what the questions are and we should not delay or postpone making a decision. I have already proposed one which I will reiterate. I formally propose that we invite the individuals named and others. The first session should include the key individuals - the Taoiseach, the Secretary General, Mr. Fraser, and Mr. Concannon, the head of the unit. They are the three key individuals. Others are also important. The Taoiseach and others have been making the point that there are bigger issues. There are, but there is a fundamental issue with how political parties are funded.

If any political party is gaining an advantage over others, that is not right. There are also issues about how taxpayers' money is spent and there are now blurred lines between the communication of Government and public and Civil Service and how that has become political and party political. They are fundamental questions. The issue of value for money is then wrapped up in that and, as others have asked, whether we have achieved the savings we were promised. The Committee of Public Accounts has a clear role in that. That is our starting point and should be the avenue for those coming before us.