Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 5: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he has received the confirmation he sought from Údarás na Gaeltachta that the proper rules and procedures were followed in regard to the awarding of a contract to a consultant under the consultancy agreement between Údarás na Gaeltachta and NUI Galway which came into effect on 1 November 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31388/06]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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I have been informed by Údarás na Gaeltachta that due regard was given to proper rules and procedures in the case in question. Furthermore, Údarás has also informed me that the expenditure in question accords with the basic principle of ensuring value for money in the promotion of its strategic objectives. Again I reiterate that, as Minister, I have no statutory function in regard to the day-to-day administration of Údarás na Gaeltachta.

Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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I thank the Minister for his response, although I am quite astounded by it. Does he stand over the granting of a three year contract costing €185,000 plus expenses, including foreign travel, which is 60% funded by Údarás, when it was not advertised, no competition took place, no announcement was made when the contract was awarded and no correspondence was produced in response to a freedom of information request from "Nuacht TG4" in respect of the efforts made inside and outside NUI Galway to identify a suitable person for the contract?

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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The day-to-day operation of Údarás and compliance with Government procedure are matters for Údarás. The auditing of the accounts is a matter for the Comptroller and Auditor General who will be the final arbiter in regard to financial probity and so on. However, as the issue was raised with me, I raised it with Údarás na Gaeltachta which assured me that it acted in accordance with proper rules and procedures. My Department was not in any way involved in this and, therefore, all I can do is ask Údarás about it. It said the expenditure in question concurs with the basic principles of ensuring value for money.

Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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The issue surrounds the awarding of this contract. The value for money issue is an important one but the awarding of the contract is the one I raised. Is the Minister satisfied with the assurances he received? Is he prepared to ask the Comptroller and Auditor General to fully look into this issue to see if the proper procedures were followed?

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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The Comptroller and Auditor General is legally obliged to fully look into this issue. He does not need me to tell him to so do; it is his job. That is the role of his office. I assure the Deputy he does not need me to tell him to do his job. That is a slight on the Office of Comptroller and Auditor General.

Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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It is no such thing. Information was obtained by "Nuacht TG4" on foot of freedom of information requests. That raises very serious questions and the Minister is too glibly accepting the assurances he received. This issue needs to be looked at independently and that is no reflection whatever on the Comptroller and Auditor General. All the detail relating to various activities is not always available when an inspection is done. On foot of the information that has been obtained by "Nuacht TG4", this issue requires immediate and more in-depth scrutiny.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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The allegations are flying even further. It must be allegation week. Údarás is obliged to keep proper records.

Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Is the Minister satisfied? Does he believe the answer he received?