Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail)
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On this particular issue I think the public will take some satisfaction from an achievement by the Committee of Public Accounts. Some people ask what actually happens as a result of our meeting. We had the meeting here last year. As long as any of us have been here, we have never seen a post-project review of a public private partnership project. It has not happened. We had quite a stand-off here last week when we threatened to close down the meeting and went into private session to discuss it. We came back and said that we were not happy. It was said in the meeting that they would be produced.

In response to the Comptroller and Auditor General's recommendation in his report last year, a commitment was given that the post-project reviews would be published and it was being worked on. Six months elapsed and the Department was here last Thursday. We asked when was that going to happen. As a result, a circular, dated 26 March, has been issued by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to all Departments since our meeting last Thursday. We have had an instant success on this. I said I wanted to hold over the circular. It is only a page and a half. There are two paragraphs I want to read, where the Secretary General refers to the Comptroller and Auditor General's report last year. He states "The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform also accepted the recommendation that such post project reviews should be published, and indicated that a requirement to this effect (subject to redaction of any commercially sensitive information) will be included in a revision of the Public Spending Code which is currently underway and in revised PPP guidance to be issued in the near future.

Paragraph No. 5 of this circular, which has been issued to all heads of Departments and Government offices, states:

However, in advance of completion of the updated Public Spending Code and PPP Guidance, I wish to advise all Departments and Offices that this policy on publication of post project reviews for all public investment projects, including PPPs, is now being implemented with immediate effect. Accordingly, any post project reviews undertaken from this date should be published at the earliest possible opportunity, following completion.

That is a complete success for the Committee of Public Accounts here last Thursday. We are achieving something in respect of the publication of these reports that has never happened. As a result of last Thursday's meeting, the circular was issued within a matter of days stating such reports should be published and to get on with it. They are to be published at the earliest opportunity.

We look forward to receiving them. I want to note this is an example of the Committee of Public Accounts achieving something that is across the entire public sector. The Comptroller and Auditor General has been calling for it year in, year out and the meeting last week has brought about this positive result. We will wait to see it happening, but a circular has gone out and that is a positive result. It is an achievement as a result of people appearing before the committee. We welcome the note and look forward to seeing the reports.

Correspondence No. 1205B is from Mr. Michael Nolan, CEO of Transport Infrastructure Ireland, providing follow up to our meeting on 8 March 2018 on motorway maintenance contracts. We note and publish it. People will find it interesting and should work on it as they see fit.

Correspondence category C is from private individuals and any other correspondence. Correspondence No. 1162C was held over from last week. This item is from Mr. Tadhg Daly, CEO of Nursing Homes Ireland, dated 6 March 2018, on the cost of care in HSE nursing homes. We agreed to discuss this as part of the work programme, which we deferred last week. We will discuss the work programme in a few minutes. The correspondence is noted.

Correspondence No. 1176C was held over from last week and is from an individual alleging that a number of Departments are misclassifying employees as self-employed in order for some employers to evade PRSI obligations. This is a large document and at first glance it appears to be related to a matter considered by the committee in some depth before. I propose in the first instance that we write back to the individual to request a summary of which Departments are involved and to specify how the misclassification is being done. It is an extensive document and we will ask for the person's assistance because he or she must have quite a bit of knowledge, so we can narrow the focus and then deal with it.

Correspondence No. 1188C is anonymous correspondence regarding alleged misuse of public moneys in relation to the children's hospital in Crumlin. There is no evidence presented so we will just note the document.

Correspondence No. 1189C is from an individual in relation to the racing industry. He is calling for an investigation into the industry to ensure that it is tax compliant and employees are treated fairly. It is the responsibility of the Revenue Commissioners to ensure all businesses are tax compliant and if employees are treated unfairly they have recourse to the mechanisms of the Workplace Relations Commission. I propose that we note the item and our consideration of the matter is closed. The tax affairs of employees in an individual sector is not something we can specifically get into. Perhaps we will forward the letter to the Revenue Commissioners for their attention and with regard to any action they deem appropriate.

Correspondence No. 1193C is from an individual, dated 22 March 2018, in relation to the wards of court funds. We forwarded correspondence from the Courts Service to the individual. I propose we note the correspondence for now. We dealt with this last week and the correspondent is not happy with the response that was considered here at the meeting last week. We have sent the documentation and I know this matter will come up again.

Correspondence No. 1195C, dated 21 March 2018, is from a specific individual in relation to the non-payment of 2017 farm grants for the GLAS and organic schemes. I propose, with the individual's permission, that we forward the item to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine for its attention and request to be updated on how the case is being addressed. We will forward it directly to the Department and ask it to keep us informed. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Correspondence No. 1196C is an anonymous piece of correspondence in relation to Inland Fisheries Ireland. We have had similar issues raised with us and we received a response from Inland Fisheries Ireland. I propose we note this correspondence.

Correspondence No. 1197C is from Professor Patrick O'Shea, the president of University College Cork, dated 23 March 2018, providing information as requested by the committee on UCC's partnership with Cork Opera House. Deputy Kelly raised this matter and we will hold it over to our next meeting because he is not here today.

Correspondence No. 1198C from Ms Catherine Colman, from the estimates section in the finance division of the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, dated 23 March 2018, enclosing an information note on swimming pools. Deputy Farrell had requested this information at our meeting with the Department. We will note the correspondence.