Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)

While I understand the Minister's points, it is difficult to understand how a shortfall of almost €1 million created by the tours of seven cities and towns in Ireland last June and July, Australia in September and America in October did not come to light until May 2005. The systems in place must be appalling to say the least to allow that to happen. While I have no doubt the Minister is right that the people at the Abbey acted with the greatest honesty and integrity, it is incredible how such a substantial shortfall could go undetected, especially when the finance and audit committee met more than monthly during 2004.

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