Holohan secondment accountability
Deputy Tóibín attacked the Holohan secondment, saying Robert Watt’s role exposed government dysfunction and demanded accountability. The Tánaiste said he had paused the process, no public money was spent, the report’s recommendations were accepted, and then repeatedly refused to engage further as the Chair cut off the exchange.
The secondment package created for Tony Holohan continues to shine a light on the dysfunction of this Government. Robert Watt signed a letter in which he committed to €20 million from the budget for that particular role. This was done without Government oversight. It also comes on the heel of the gold-plated package created for Katherine Zappone. Yesterday, Robert Watt, in reality, gave two fingers to the Government-commissioned external review. He rubbished its findings and recommendations. This goes to the heart of who is in control of the Government in this country. Is it the elected representatives or the Civil Service? Is Robert Watt untouchable? Will there be any accountability at all in relation to this? Is this report just going to be scrunched up and thrown into the wastepaper basket? The evidence of Robert Watt and Deirdre Gillane completely contradict each other. Who does the Tánaiste believe in that circumstance? Will there be accountability? What will happen to the external review? Will this situation be repeated over and over again?
Comment on this
As Taoiseach at the time, I paused the entire process. Dr. Holohan then pulled out and said he no longer had any interest in pursuing the secondment. No Government funding was expended on this and the secondment did not proceed. There is an issue, as the report identified, around clarifying the entire secondment process. We can improve on that in respect of people in a given post who may seek a secondment from it. I believe we can redeploy people with expertise and experience, perhaps more effectively, within the public service on specific projects that are required in the future.
Comment on this
The report states protocols were breached.
Comment on this
I am very familiar with the report and the Government fully accepts the recommendations of the report.
Comment on this
The question I asked was if there was going to be any accountability in terms of Robert Watt. The Tánaiste is refusing to answer that question.