Paul Bradford (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I join my colleagues in congratulating the members of the Committee of Public Accounts on the work they have undertaken to investigate the debacle in the charities sector. However, none of us should be surprised about this debacle because, tragically, what is being unearthed is symptomatic of a culture which existed in this country for decades. This culture exhibits an unwillingness to organise business in a proper and transparent fashion. We have had tribunals with no outcomes, quangos which were to be abolished and top-ups of all kinds. I trust my colleagues will agree this culture has been a cancer on our society and needs to be tackled. However, as we will not miraculously find a solution to this problem overnight, I appeal to the public to continue giving to the charitable organisations which have done such good work in this country. Every €1 euro that the public does not give to these charities will have to be replaced by the taxpayer if services to very needy people are not to be affected. We need to have a debate on how we conduct public business at all levels.

Several weeks ago we passed legislation dealing with the funding of political parties. Let us be honest in asking what checks and balances exist in the legislation to prevent taxpayers' money from being used to add to politicians' salaries. There is absolutely nothing. What is sauce for the goose must be sauce for the gander; a root and branch review is urgently required of how we conduct our political and private business.