Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Thursday, 24 March 2022

Public Accounts Committee

Business of Committee

9:30 am

Mr. Seamus McCarthy:

On the severance, I do not believe that the circumstances I am drawing attention to here are as significant as the previous case. More issues were raised in the previous case. The specific aspect I draw attention to here is that there is a process that requires the approval of the Department and the approval of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in relation to any severance deal it is proposed to make with a departing chief officer. I do not want to downplay it. It is a significant matter. Where there is a process, a public body should adhere to that, seek the approval, and explain the circumstances in relation to it.

There was slight hitch in connection from the Deputy. I believe the Deputy was asking about the KPMG report and whether it is completed.