Grace Boland (Dublin Fingal West, Fine Gael)

We should make it clear to all witnesses, particularly Departments, that is the standard because it was very late to receive it. The crisis in the Peter McVerry Trust did not arise overnight. This has really exposed a failure of oversight as much as a failure of governance. When millions of euros of public money are involved, we need real-time financial checks, independent audits and proper board standards, not just trust and hope. I have listened to the Secretary General here today and, from what I have heard, he and his Department are absolving themselves of all responsibility for the improper spending of millions of euros of public money provided by the Department. Is that the case?