Arts Minister Calls For Weekly PAC Scrutiny Of Local Authority Spending

Tuesday, 13 January 2026 14:21

By Martin Osborne

He said it is "high time" that local authority managers are brought before the Public Accounts Committee on a weekly basis.

The Arts Minister says local authorities should be brought into the oversight of the Comptroller and Auditor General.

It comes as a report into spending at the Arts Council will be before the cabinet in the coming weeks.

Minister Patrick O'Donovan says he's seen the report and anticipates the council will get a full overhaul.

Commenting on local authorities in general, he said every year local authorities get clean "bills of health from the local government auditor", which he said is not "financially possible".

He said it is "high time" that local authority managers are brought before the Public Accounts Committee on a weekly basis.

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