Eoghan Kenny (Cork North-Central, Labour)
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I echo everyone's words about putting politics aside in this room. Although we might not all share the same political view, being the watchdog of public accounts is important. I am delighted to see Deputy Brady as Chair. He is someone with experience. I am delighted to see Deputies McAuliffe and Connolly, who I hope will provide all of us with some sort of guidance on what this committee will actually do for the public. In the Thirty-third Dáil, it acted as a serious talking point on a number of occasions. I am hopeful that the work we do will provide the public with assurance. When we went to the doorsteps in the general election, where our money was actually being spent came up a number of times. That is important to realise. When one calls to a doorstep and a person questions where our money is being spent, it is important that one has an answer for that person. Being part of this committee gives us the opportunity to be that watchdog, and the next time we meet a member of the public, we will be able to give them assurances as to where the public's money is being spent. That is the job of the committee. Working alongside each other will be important. It gives us an opportunity to look at where the public’s money is being spent. At the end of the day, that is the most important part of this committee. People want to see value for money in the taxes they are paying and to know where their money is being spent. That is the most important part of this committee. We are about representing people, and if people come to us looking to know where their money is being spent, the opportunity could be there for us all to give them that answer.