John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Arising from Deputy Shane Ross's contribution and the suggestion Mr. McCarthy will come back to us with further information, perhaps he might also provide a detailed overview of exactly how far the Committee of Public Accounts can go in this matter. What happens in terms of the questions raised by Deputy Shane Ross? It is a concern. A document that I do not have to hand brought my attention to the purchase for $9 million of carriages which were later not used. When such issues come to our attention, we need to be able to get answers. I suggest that in addition to what Mr. McCarthy is going to do, we should send a transcript of the proceedings of this meeting to the Accounting Officer in the Department and ask for an overview from that side also. That would enable us to pursue the matter, if necessary.

Over a number of meetings a number of Deputies mentioned the €91 million spent at Poolbeg to date. The committee has not yet received the type of report on this matter that I would have expected from the Department. When we asked for such a report, we called for the matter to be taken up by the Accounting Officer and the local government auditors. I remind the Accounting Officer that a commitment was given that this would happen. We are expecting a report and concerned about the €91 million figure. We require explanations in this regard. That reflects the views of a number of members of the committee who raised the matter.