Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 22 September 2021

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach

General Scheme of the Protected Disclosures (Amendment) Bill 2021: Discussion

Ms Julie Grace:

The greatest example is that of Maurice McCabe. That was without the tapes and without the political support from the gentleman and others who gave him that help. I am back again to the need for decent political representation and a top-down example. Why are we electing politicians? We elect them to represent our wishes.

If we have no difficulty with corruption, vote for corrupt politicians who will stay quiet. If we want corruption to be addressed, vote for people who will stand up, who will not be afraid and who will take no prisoners, if members pardon the pun, and stand against corruption. It is not that difficult. If we accept what we are currently accepting, it is our own fault in one way, although our hands are tied with the availability of the public purse to the perpetrators.

We must look at the complete element of recruitment right through services. Why are particular people recruited? It happens because they are "yes" men and women who turn a blind eye. In particular I see this in quangos and education and training boards. I will not get into the naming of names but there is such misuse of public funding. That is mainly done through corrupt politicians, with particular elected representatives going from one interview board to another. They make sure their own nominees are employed. I have seen cases where they go so far as not employing a person who might be more qualified than everybody else but who is known not to get involved with chicanery.

I maintain that a political shift is needed. We need more decent people in politics who will stand up and be counted. They should not be so worried. If somebody is afraid of the Civil Service because of a lack of education, we should ask why these people are being paid. If they are not able to do the job, they should be out the door.

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