Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú) | Oireachtas source

The secondment package created for Tony Holohan continues to shine a light on the dysfunction of this Government. Robert Watt signed a letter in which he committed to €20 million from the budget for that particular role. This was done without Government oversight. It also comes on the heel of the gold-plated package created for Katherine Zappone. Yesterday, Robert Watt, in reality, gave two fingers to the Government-commissioned external review. He rubbished its findings and recommendations. This goes to the heart of who is in control of the Government in this country. Is it the elected representatives or the Civil Service? Is Robert Watt untouchable? Will there be any accountability at all in relation to this? Is this report just going to be scrunched up and thrown into the wastepaper basket? The evidence of Robert Watt and Deirdre Gillane completely contradict each other. Who does the Tánaiste believe in that circumstance? Will there be accountability? What will happen to the external review? Will this situation be repeated over and over again?

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