The comment was made by a senior member of the Department of Health.
The head of the Department of Health's finance unit described the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) as having “a few loopers” among its membership.
According to a recording obtained by the Irish Examiner, during a round-table preparatory session in the unit ahead of the department’s appearance before the committee last December, John O’Grady said, “Not for repeating, but there are a few loopers on the Public Accounts Committee, which makes it even more unpredictable."
Mr O’Grady, who routinely appears before Oireachtas committees as support staff for either his secretary general or the minister, added that “Robert is well able for them”, a reference to Robert Watt, the head of the department.
The Irish Examiner reports, PAC vice chair Catherine Murphy said Mr O’Grady’s comments revealed an unacceptable dynamic.
"It is not acceptable that any Oireachtas committee would be treated like that," she said.
“It seems the executive value themselves more than they value the democratic side.
Eir Blames Truck For Months-Long Telecom Breakdown That Left 88-Year-Old Woman Stranded After Fall
ISPCA Rescues Lurcher Found In Kildangan, Described As One of Worst Cases Of Emaciation Ever Seen
Hopes Of 1,000-Pupil Curragh School Opening In 2026 "Unlikely" As Contractor Selection Months Away
CONFIRMED: Kildare v Fermanagh Tailteann Cup Semi Final Confirmed For 4pm On Sunday
88-Year-Old Athgarvan Woman Stranded For 12 Hours After Fall At Home Due To Faulty Landline
No Murder Upgrade For Trevor Deely Case Following Garda Review - Unless New Evidence Emerges
Clondalkin’s €355K Affordable Homes Put Spotlight On New Schemes On Council-Owned Land In Kildare
Tech Waste Mounts, But Kildare’s Recycling Rates Remain Among Ireland’s Lowest
