5 Feb 2014, 15:08
The Committee of Public Accounts will resume its consideration of the C&AG’s report into Dublin Docklands Development Authority with a specific emphasis on the DDDA’s 2012 accounts tomorrow, Thursday, 6th February 2014.
Vice Chairman of the Committee Kieran O’Donnell said: “The Acting CEO of the DDDA, Eileen Quinlivan, will be in attendance at this week’s meeting in order to discuss the 2012 Annual Report and Financial Statements of the DDDA.
The €412 million deal for the Irish Glass Bottle site in 2006, which ultimately cost the Authority €52 million, left the Authority in a perilous financial position. This has had a serious impact on the work of the Authority since then.
Following the C&AG’s Special Report of February 2012 on the Authority including its investment into the Glass Bottle Site, the Government took the decision to wind down the Authority. A final date has yet to be set but it is expected to occur sometime this summer. When the Authority eventually dissolves, its powers and functions will be transferred to Dublin City Council.
The Committee will be keen to discuss progress on dissolution of the Authority with a particular emphasis on assets currently remaining to be disposed of. The up to date liabilities figure will also be of interest, which stood at €24 million at the end of 2012. Progress on the redeployment of staff and voluntary redundancy paid may also be discussed.
The Committee may wish to ascertain how two instances of non-compliance with public procurement rules referred to in the C&AG audit certificate occurred, which involved two consultancy services who were paid €429,000 in 2012, particularly in light of the fact that shortcomings in the area of procurement were also noted during the 2010 audit. The audit certificate also refers to contracts of indefinite duration, which were awarded to four staff members. The circumstances which gave rise to these contracts being awarded as well as any costs associated will be of interest.”
This meeting will start in Committee Room 1 at 10am on Thursday, 6th February 2014.
Committee proceedings can be followed live here.
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Committee of Public Accounts Membership
John McGuinness (Chairman)
Kieran O’Donnell (Vice Chairman)
Paul J Connaughton,
John Deasy,
Áine Collins
Gerald Nash,
Simon Harris,
Robert Dowds,
Mary Lou McDonald,
Sean Fleming,
Eoghan Murphy,
Derek Nolan,
Shane Ross