Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Thursday, 17 January 2019

Public Accounts Committee

2017 Annual Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 21 - Prisons

9:00 am

Photo of Catherine ConnollyCatherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I understand that. Politicians assure everyone that they are above board and accountable but there must always be an external system to ensure that is the case. What has emerged from various reports, that of Mr. Justice Charleton being the latest, is that institutions are simply incapable of holding a mirror up to themselves. We know that from issues involving Tusla, the Garda and politicians. An effective oversight system must be in place.

It is difficult to sit on this committee and listen to what whistleblowers go through. The word "punitive" is often used. It is upsetting that somebody would feel they have been punished and, further, that there would seem to be evidence that they were punished. That is a matter for another day but we have seen evidence of that in every forum, including third level institutions, some of which will appear before the committee next week. We are utterly reliant on whistleblowers because governance issues do not work. I wish Ms McCaffrey the best of luck with the new approach she is bringing in and I hope we can work together to make it a success.

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