Results 15,621-15,640 of 26,579 for speaker:John McGuinness

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (5 Mar 2015)

John McGuinness: There may be separate entities within HSBC, but before getting into that, we should write to Mr. Duffy again and to the individual who appeared before the Public Accounts Committee in the UK and ask if someone can be briefed who can assist us with our efforts with the Revenue Commissioners. That would be helpful. A representative should be here. The next item, No. 3A, is correspondence...

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (5 Mar 2015)

John McGuinness: He is making the point about the distortion in the market because of the activities of NAMA. We will ask NAMA for a response. We will deal next with documents relating to today’s committee meeting. Nos. 3C.1 and 3C.7 are the briefing documents and opening statements for today’s meeting, to be noted and published. Of the reports, statements and accounts received since our...

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (5 Mar 2015)

John McGuinness: We will come back to that suggestion.

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (5 Mar 2015)

John McGuinness: I will bring it up in the context of this issue. The documents were released yesterday. They could have been released in error or for any reason but the history of the HSE and the Committee of Public Accounts has been that we have often had hearings and while people from the HSE have been with us, documents would be released to the newspapers. There is more than one example of that. Now...

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (5 Mar 2015)

John McGuinness: The document is so large, we chose not to circulate copies but members may have copies.

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (5 Mar 2015)

John McGuinness: While both issues are extremely serious, the issue with which the committee must concern itself is the procurement of services and the background to same, as outlined by the clerk to the committee. As Deputy Deasy stated, we must determine if the practice is widespread. The other issues have been reported under the whistleblower’s legislation as they are matters for the Garda. That...

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (5 Mar 2015)

John McGuinness: On the basis of members’ comments, I will ask the representatives of the HSE to appear before the committee sooner rather than later. The clerk will contact the HSE to arrange a meeting. It may be necessary to arrange it outside the dates set out in our work programme.

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (5 Mar 2015)

John McGuinness: We will proceed on the basis that the sooner we can have representatives of the HSE before us, the better.

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (5 Mar 2015)

John McGuinness: Are there any other questions on the work programme? We have provided clarity on next week’s meeting. St. Patrick’s Day falls in the following week and we will meet representatives of the Dublin Docklands Development Authority on 26 March. Is that agreed? Agreed. I will comment briefly on yesterday's meeting with the Northern Ireland Public Accounts Committee, which was...

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (5 Mar 2015)

John McGuinness: Was the full report circulated?

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (5 Mar 2015)

John McGuinness: It is an interesting report which members should read because it indicates how the Department functions. As with the Health Service Executive, one wonders how many of the regulations and agreements on procurement and spending of taxpayers’ money are ignored, resulting in the making of these types of payments. The committee should do this job of work as soon as possible. Members...

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (5 Mar 2015)

John McGuinness: I think members have time to come back directly to the clerk with whatever amendments they have or with whatever strengthening of language they see necessary in the report. Perhaps then, after St. Patrick's week, we can launch the report.

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (5 Mar 2015)

John McGuinness: It does happen. We get the reply, but we do not necessarily get it as speedily as the Deputy has described. We get a reply and can remind the Government of the need for an early reply whenever we deem that necessary. We get an overview of the Government's position on the issue.

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (5 Mar 2015)

John McGuinness: Those recommendations are in the report.

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (5 Mar 2015)

John McGuinness: We had a full meeting on this and all of this information resulted from that. This information informs the background to the report and from that we have drawn up the recommendations. This is only a draft report. Members may want to read the report again and take advantage of the week or more we have left to deal with the matter and then send their submissions to the clerk.

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (5 Mar 2015)

John McGuinness: Is there any other business? As there is no other business, we will agree our meeting for Thursday, 12 March at which we will have presentations from the Revenue Commissioners and HSBC. I will ask the clerk to report to committee members on the availability of the delegate from HSBC and on what we can expect, so that members are briefed before the meeting.

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (5 Mar 2015)

John McGuinness: I will ask the clerk to ensure members are aware of the response from the HSBC and the extent of the information the delegate will have, so that we are clear in regard to what information can be gleaned through questions. In regard to the HSE, we should get representatives in as soon as possible. If that is to happen next week, we will sit on Tuesday. The matter is in the public domain...

Public Accounts Committee: Procurement Issues: Small Firms Association and Irish Schools Arts Supply Federation (5 Mar 2015)

John McGuinness: I remind members, witnesses and those in the public Gallery that they should turn off their mobile phones as they interfere with the sound quality and transmission of the meeting. I draw the attention of witnesses to the fact that by virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, they are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to the committee. However, if they...

Public Accounts Committee: Procurement Issues: Small Firms Association and Irish Schools Arts Supply Federation (5 Mar 2015)

John McGuinness: You are all welcome. I invite Ms Fleming to make her opening statement.

Public Accounts Committee: Procurement Issues: Small Firms Association and Irish Schools Arts Supply Federation (5 Mar 2015)

John McGuinness: Many thanks, Mr. Noonan. May we publish both statements? We may. Thank you.