Templemore audit report
Catherine Murphy questioned the handling of an interim audit report on Templemore college’s financial controls and said the record should be corrected. The Taoiseach said he would have the Minister for Justice contact her about progress.
Would you listen? I must declare my interest.
Comment on this
It is in the rules. I must put it on the record or I will be pulled up otherwise.
Comment on this
A draft interim audit report on the financial controls around Templemore college was received by the Minister for Justice and Equality in September last year. The Minister put on the record of this House during Leaders' Questions on 9 February this year a reply when I asked her about it. She stated that the report referenced in The Sunday Times article had questions related to it answered in the justice committee, with detailed information put on record about the audit and actions taken internally. I do not know about the internal actions but it has not gone through the justice committee. She also indicated it went to the Committee of Public Accounts but I raised the matter there after the date in question. The committee wrote to the Garda Commissioner and she has only sent an acknowledgement of it. That was January of this year. There has been no public scrutiny of this serious issue and there are real questions about funds in Templemore. There is also the issue of this House being told that something went through a process in and was considered by the justice committee when it did not and was not. The record of the House must be corrected. At this point, the final report should be published by the Minister so this can receive the scrutiny that it needs.
Comment on this
As far as I can figure out, this is not about legislation. In view of the fact that the Deputy has raised the matter, I will have the Minister for Justice and Equality contact the Deputy about the progress made since the matter was last raised here.
Comment on this
The record of the House should be corrected as well.