David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

There is a time factor involved in some of these issues. This was a report on a variety of issues but one of the substantial ones was the opening and reopening of Garda stations, which we gave a very good hearing here. It was quite obvious to this committee that decisions were being made to reopen certain Garda stations that did not chime with the priorities of senior gardaí on the ground, and we made a number of recommendations in this regard. I am not at all satisfied with the responses we have got back on this. They are parliamentary question-type responses that go through the motions but do not say anything, really. It seems they will continue with the course of action on which they have embarked. Some people have called this stroke politics. That is how I see it, to be honest. It is not good practice; it is bad practice, in my view. That is the first issue.

There is also an issue I was following up concerning the IDA and the methodology used to verify the number of jobs created. It does not accept the recommendation from this committee and is still holding to the view that it should be self-assessment. I do not think that is right because we deserve to have the accurate figures. Everybody benefits from having accurate figures, not figures that are based on self-assessment and a questionnaire that goes out to a client company asking how many jobs were created, with no verification process and a request to take at face value what is being said. I do not think that is any way to make an evaluation because policy decisions arise from these figures as well. They are also used, as we know, for propaganda purposes, which is fine as well. Notwithstanding that, I am not happy with that response either. The Chairman is saying to hold off on the matter. My question is, given that we are doing periodic reports and getting responses - and it is good that we have got a response as at least they are reading our stuff and have to respond to it - should we have another leg to our work? Do we follow up with the Accounting Officer to say we are not happy with the response?