Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

This afternoon we are completing our overview of public private partnerships. Before we begin that topic I wish to raise one other issue arising from a vote in the Dáil Chamber. The Dáil has voted strongly on the motion in relation to the strategic communications unit, SCU, in favour of the Taoiseach, Deputy Leo Varadkar, and the Secretary General of the Department of the Taoiseach appearing before the Committee of Public Accounts at the earliest possible date to account for spending of public money by the SCU.

At a meeting two weeks ago, we decided to invite the Secretary General of the Department of the Taoiseach to appear at the committee. As the Taoiseach is due to appear in committee soon on the Estimates for his Department, we decided to await the outcome of that meeting before deciding what action to take. However, in light of the vote of Dáil Éireann this afternoon to the effect that the Taoiseach appear before this committee, we will formally invite him to do so.