12 Ean 2012, 16:42
Warm tributes were paid at the Public Accounts Committee today to John Buckley who will retire as Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG) in February. Mr Buckley was appointed C&AG in May 2008 and gives evidence at the weekly meetings of the Committee.
Chairman of the Committee John Mc Guinness, TD thanked the C&AG for the significant contribution he has made as a public servant over a forty five year period and in particular to his role as C&AG and also for his role as in the DIRT Inquiry.
Deputy McGuinness said: “The investigation of FÁS illustrated the tenacity of John Buckley in his efforts to shine a light on corporate governance failure and careless spending of taxpayers’ money. The fact that the audit of NAMA and the Dublin Docklands Development Authority are now in the hands of the C&AG is testimony to the esteem in which the State held the office of the C&AG and that is primarily down the capability of John Buckley as head of that office.
“John Buckley as C&AG was also extremely helpful to members of the current Committee given that many of them are new to the Dáil. He helped them to adapt to their role and, as a result, these new Members quickly came to grips with the workload associated with the PAC.”
Tributes were also paid to Mr Buckley by Deputy Kieran O’Donnell and Deputy Sean Fleming.
Ends
For further information please contact:
Ciaran Brennan,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Communications Unit,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2
P: +3531 618 3903
M: 086-0496518
F: +3531 618 4551
Committee of Public Accounts
Membership
John McGuinness (Chairman)
Kieran O’Donnell (Vice Chairman)
Paul J Connaughton,
John Deasy,
Paschal Donohoe,
Anne Ferris,
Simon Harris,
Michael McCarthy,
Mary Lou McDonald,
Sean Fleming,
Eoghan Murphy,
Derek Nolan,
Shane Ross