Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Over the past year, we have looked at the statements from a number of education and training boards. In fairness, most of them came back with measures taken to improve matters and explanations in respect of procurement where they had limited options, such as where there may have been a single supplier of very specialised stuff.

This particular one seems to have much history attached to it. We will note and publish that item and have an examination of that publication by Mr. Seamus McCarthy’s office.

No. 725B is from Mr. Ken Spratt, Secretary General of the Department of Transport, dated 8 July 2021 providing further information requested by the committee during our meeting with the Department on 27 May, which members will recall. It includes: an explanation as to why the process for procuring vehicles for the coast guard fleet was described in the statement on internal financial control in the Department’s 2019 appropriation account as “not robust”. The Secretary General stated that a special report on the matter will be provided to the Comptroller and Auditor General; mentions the number of vacancies on the boards of agencies under the aegis of the Minister for Transport - a total of 18; and information on Exchequer funding for regional and local roads. The Secretary General stated that a reduction in funding since 2008 has resulted in a substantial backlog of road repair works, estimated to cost in excess of €5 billion to address. It is proposed that we note and publish the item. Is that agreed? Agreed. Deputy Catherine Murphy flagged this as well. Is she okay with that?