Committee of Public Accounts (PAC) ‘disappointed and concerned’ that public meeting to examine expenditure related to new National Children’s Hospital will not proceed due to key witnesses being ‘unavailable’

Deputy Mairéad Farrell, Cathaoirleach of the Committee said: “The availability of the Interim Chief Executive of CHI was confirmed in early October. However, this confirmation was revoked on Friday, 25 October, notwithstanding that it was brought to the attention of the Interim CEO that section 24(5) of the Children’s Health Act 2018 requires the Chief Executive of Children’s Health Ireland to appear before the Committee whenever required in writing to do so. 

“When contacted in early October, the NPHDB stated that it was not available on 7 November, or indeed on any date that week, citing the unavailability of a key witness, which was not confirmed to be the Chief Officer of the NPHDB until this Monday, 4 November. No reason for that unavailability has been provided to the Committee.

“Both bodies have requested to meet in late November or early December. The Committee is conscious that the 33rd Dáil is likely to be dissolved this week. The Committee is disappointed that neither body is willing to make itself available to appear before the Committee and account for the expenditure under its remit, particularly when the National Children’s Hospital is a project of huge public interest and significant public expenditure.

“The Standing Orders of Dáil Éireann provide for the Committee to examine accounts or reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General at any time after that account or report is presented to Dáil Éireann. The Committee is concerned that if a trend were to develop whereby the Committee’s scheduling of its meetings is contested when fair notice has been provided, and no clear rationale has been provided for a body’s unavailability, that this could undermine the transparency and accountability for public expenditure that is central to the democratic process.

“The Committee will ensure that this matter is brought to the attention to the Committee of Public Accounts of the 34th Dáil, which may wish to schedule a meeting early in its work programme to examine expenditure on the National Children’s Hospital.”

PAC is a standing committee of Dáil Éireann which focuses on ensuring public services are run efficiently and achieve value for money. Further information on the role and remit of the Committee can be found here.