Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)

The McCarthy report involved other people, unlike the claim on radio earlier. I never considered it to be gospel that we had to implement every suggestion made. If that was the case, we might as well have let Dr. McCarthy and whoever else was in the group deal with the Department. Ultimately, I am the person responsible to the Oireachtas regarding policy decisions and I will make such decisions. The Accounting Officer is responsible for spending. I will not implement a number of the recommendations in the McCarthy report, as I will find the money elsewhere. Even the Opposition spokespersons would not agree with them.

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