Angela Kerins ruling will force the Oireachtas to address a faultline that has been clear since 2000, writes harrymcgee
Kerins and senior Rehab executives came before the committee to answer questions in relation to three specific areas, including the manner in which it operated its scratch-card lottery games.However, during a marathon seven-hour meeting Kerins was subjected to prolonged questioning about her salary, her pay and her conditions. The three TDs of the 13-member committee who led the charge were Sinn Féin’s Mary Lou McDonald, Independent TD Shane Ross and the committee chairman John McGuinness.
On Wednesday the Supreme Court, in a partial judgment, ruled the PAC acted “significantly outside its remit” in its questioning of Kerins. It also referred to the fact that the Oireachtas committee that provides oversight and governance, the Committee on Procedure and Privileges, had come to that view., said it assessed the PAC was acting “significantly outside its remit…together with the possibility that it might be appropriate to find on the evidence the PAC had invited Ms Kerins to attend before it on one basis but proceeded when she attended to deal with her on an entirely different basis”.
The Oireachtas is likely to wait until then before responding substantively to the findings. However, something will have to change. The PAC could have its remit widened. But it is more likely it will have its power curbed. Other committees have complained that it has made incursions into their territory.
The PAC, for its part, has said its defence of public spending has been highly effective, citing the recent inquiry into cost overruns at the new national children’s hospital, not strictly part of its remit.
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