David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The Comptroller and Auditor General states that "attention is drawn to weaknesses". I wonder if it is weaknesses or failures. I am sure there are basic requirements or controls that any organisation should have in place. I do not accept that the term "weaknesses" suggests that the controls are not there. In many ways, the controls are there but they were not adhered to. If I am reading this report right, it is quite extraordinary that the Arts Council gave to a third party €196,000 that was intended for beneficiaries in grants that they never received because the company in question went bust. It is quite extraordinary to say the least. I am aware that the overall budget for the Arts Council is €67 million but we all know that there is not a huge amount of money available in any event for the beneficiaries of these grants, or the organisations that need the money and which run on very tight budgets. Is it the case that these organisations just did not get the money? Was replacement money given to them or are they left high and dry?