Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

In his Private Members' debate speech, the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Shatter, included information in the possession of his Department regarding Rehab lottery cards. This was the first time this was mentioned in the House and all Members are aware there is a pending High Court case involving Rehab and the State. There is no doubt but that this information is in the taxpayers' interest and everyone believes there should be value for money. In 2013, the Rehab Group received €2.5 million from the Exchequer in the charitable lotteries scheme, which was a reduction from the €3.9 million received the previous year. The group produces consolidated accounts that give combined activities of various businesses within the group and there undoubtedly should be more openness and transparency with regard to how the group spends its money, most of which is made from its business ventures that prioritise the employment of people with special needs. What is confusing is the motivation behind the release of information itself as the Minister, Deputy Shatter, did this intentionally during his Private Members' speech. In the first instance, Members must be conscious that more than 80,000 people use and rely on the services provided by the Rehab Group and that 3,800 people are employed by it. However, the key question is, what was the motivation behind the intervention by the Minister, Deputy Shatter? What was the motivation behind the Government's intervention? Is it concerned about misappropriation of funds? Is it concerned about the national lottery and the matching funding or what is the motivation behind the continuous spin in this regard? Does it relate to concerns about individual salaries or is there a broader concern about how Rehab operates? Alternatively, does the motivation pertain to the national lottery scheme and matching funding, which is provided for by the State or are there broader general concerns?

See this speech in context