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Dáil
‹ Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation

Cultúr funding investigation

Summary

Tóibín seeks the findings of an investigation into alleged financial irregularities at Cultúr and asks why funding resumed. The Taoiseach lacks the background and says publication may raise legal risks; he will ask the Minister.

Here is something that can be resolved by Dáil Éireann, the Taoiseach will be glad to know. At the start of the year, I raised with the Minister for justice an organisation that provides services to migrants in Meath. I asked for the results of an investigation into alleged financial irregularities. At the time, the Minister, Deputy O’Callaghan, said that there was an investigation and that the Department was concerned about it, so much so that it had paused funding of the organisation. I have asked a subsequent question of the Minister, who again said he had concerns about it, but he said that funding had started. I have also asked for the publication of the investigation.

Either there were financial irregularities or there were not. A report was done into it. That report should be published. The name of the organisation is Cultúr. Surely taxpayers have the right to know whether State funds were misused in this case. Surely there should be accountability. Will the Taoiseach confirm today that the report will be published so that people will know whether there was wrongdoing in that location?

Comment on this

First, I do not have the background to that case. The Deputy mentioned an organisation called Cultúr. I will talk to the Minister about it, but in situations like this, one cannot just publish a report that could be subject to legal challenge or could be perceived to be defamatory such that people could take action and so on. I do not know the background to it. Obviously, the Minister, if he has expressed concern about it, did pause the funding initially. I cannot give the Deputy the reasons as to why funding might have recommenced. It may have something to do with the content of the report. I do not know. I cannot just unilaterally, without any background to this, condemn people, question them or put a cloud over their character or whatever.

Comment on this

I understand. The Taoiseach can ask the Minister.

Comment on this