Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Tuesday, 20 June 2017

Public Accounts Committee

2015 Annual Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 20 - Garda Síochána - Internal Audit Report on Garda College, Templemore (Resumed)

9:00 am

Photo of David CullinaneDavid Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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Deputies Kelly and Connolly said they were surprised at Mr. Waters's response and that there were questions for An Garda Síochána. There are certainly questions for the Department of Justice and Equality given Mr. Waters's responses to this committee today.

To turn to the Policing Authority, what is Ms Feehily's view of what she has heard over recent weeks, if she has been following the proceedings of the Committee of Public Accounts? Mr. Niall Kelly, head of internal audit, stated that his work was interfered with, there was non-co-operation and that information was withheld. In his opening statement to this committee some weeks ago he said the head of the finance directorate of An Garda Síochána attempted to get him to change his opinion, findings and recommendations and threatened him with legal action. Mr. Barrett, the head of human resources, spoke about a cover up. Mr. Kelly spoke about the circling of the wagons and claimed he was duped. We heard from the Comptroller and Auditor General that he was not informed in any year from 2006 to 2015. Mr. Kelly sought copies of the 2008 and 2010 reports and never got them. What is Ms Feehily's response to all that, given that her job is to implement recommendations? If Mr. Kelly is right, and it is only his opinion, it seems the head of the finance directorate tried to get him to change his recommendations and threatened legal action against him if he did not amend his report.