Yesterday the Committee of Public Accounts published its report regarding Punchestown, to which an allocation of €15 million was made for an equestrian centre and other facilities. Four questions were examined by the committee: was the project properly evaluated; was the State's interest properly protected; to what extent have the facilities benefited the racecourse and racing in general; and did the project represent good value for money? The Tánaiste made it clear in her election literature on behalf of the Progressive Democrats that sound public finances were essential to good management of the country, and everyone would support that. Has the Tánaiste read the report or synopsis from the Committee of Public Accounts? Does she agree that, in this situation, it appears that the project came about because of discussions between the Minister for Agriculture and Food and the Minister for Finance?
The 1994 guidelines laid down by the Department of Finance were bypassed and, regarding the four questions asked and considered by the Committee of Public Accounts, it was critical in every case of the procedure followed in the allocation of almost €15 million of public money. Is the Tánaiste embarrassed by this report? Does she now accept that this kind of standard has also become that of the Progressive Democrats? If the situation continued, would it require her to walk away from the Government? Does she consider that the project represents good value for money for the taxpayer?