Department of Justice have questions to answer about ongoing Garda issues
Department of Justice have questions to answer about ongoing Garda issues - The Labour Party
Member of the Public Accounts Committee and Labour TD Eoghan Kenny has expressed his concern at the failure of the Secretary General of the Department of Justice to answer serious questions about Garda management and practices during today’s meeting.
Speaking following the Committee, Deputy Kenny said:
“The Secretary General was unable to answer a series of questions that I raised with her on the current case of the anti-corruption unit investigation into the stay of a Garda and his wife at the Westbury Hotel at a cost to the exchequer. I had previously raised at this same issue at PAC with then Commissioner Harris.
“In Committee today, the Secretary General outlined that no report had been given to her on the matter, nor could she recall if at any time this case was spoken about between her and the Commissioner, despite being in daily contact with him.
“I raised the serious issue of the importation of fire arms by the Gardaí under the pretence they were for public use within AGS. However it now transpires that they were used privately at a cost to the exchequer.
“This led to a complete deception by AGS to Department officials who were unaware of this. The Secretary General declined to comment on this, therefore failing to clarify if any member of AGS would be held to account for this inappropriate use of public funds and deceiving Department officials.
“The Secretary General declined to comment on the lack of endeavour of the former Commissioner to recover nearly €500,000 of public funds for the defective holsters contract.
“If we are to run our Committees effectively we must receive answers to our questions. I did not in any way expect the Secretary General to answer any accounting questions of AGS or to comment in a specific way on any ongoing investigations, I merely looked for accountability, communications and recovering of public funds. I didn’t get an answer to any. It isn’t acceptable and I am now asking for written answers to the questions laid before her today.”