Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Earlier we found out that he was being paid €60,000 a year as a retainer by Philanthropy Ireland to lobby the Government while working as the main man in the main Government party. Does the Leader believe he should appear before the Committee of Public Accounts and answer questions? The Chairman of the committee simply asked again that Mr. Flannery present himself to it. He or any other Chairman of the committee would be remiss not to do this. The Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government has tried to undermine the work of the committee and muddy the waters by accusing an excellent Chairman who has shown himself to be independent and impartial, like the previous Chairman, former Deputy Bernard Allen. All those who served as Chairman of the committee were beyond reproach and took their job seriously. Does the Leader agree with the Minister that the Chairman of the committee is acting politically? Will he reaffirm the view that Mr. Flannery has questions to answer at the committee and should present himself to it?