Marc MacSharry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

My question is relevant to pages 14 and 52 of the programme for Government, which refer to transparent oversight of performance and the potential appointment of an ombudsman for procurement. At my insistence, the Committee of Public Accounts, in its periodic report in January, included the call for the Government to establish a committee of inspection on the very costly liquidation of the Irish Bank Resolution Corporation, IBRC. As the normal level of oversight was specifically excluded from the legislation establishing the liquidation in 2013, is the Government now prepared to accept my recommendation, and that of the Committee of Public Accounts, to include a committee of inspection? Costs are heading towards €300 million.

The recent progress report was less than transparent or clear in the context of legal fees. One example given was that Arthur Cox had received €37,000. I saw documentation which showed that that particular firm incurred fees of more that €1 million in one particular case, and the media confirmed it last week. As there are more than 140 cases, this is a matter of huge concern to the taxpayer. I hope that the Government accedes to my recommendation, and that of the Committee of Public Accounts, for the establishment of a committee of inspection. I acknowledge the Taoiseach is not on the Business Committee but he is not entirely without influence. He might use that influence to secure time for a debate on these matters here in the House.

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