Kenny criticises move by head of Public Accounts Committee

Taoiseach Enda Kenny said yesterday that Fianna Fáil TD John McGuinness had politicised his role as head of the Dáil’s Public Accounts Committee by demanding the resignation of two top health officials.

“I do think that comments made by the chairman of the Pac have over-politicised the issue,” said Mr Kenny, speaking after a meeting of the British-Irish Council in Guernsey.

On Thursday, Mr McGuinness demanded the resignations of HSE director-general Tony O’Brien and secretary-general of the Department of Health Ambrose McLoughlin.

“The chairmanship of the Public Accounts Committee was always independent and I regret that it’s been over-politicised by these comments,” Mr Kenny said. “There are other opportunities for people to determine and to set out their case as to the effectiveness of their duties.”

Barrett impartial

Meanwhile, Ceann Comhairle Sean Barrett is said to be angry at suggestions that he is part of a Government majority on the Committee on Procedures and Privileges (CPP), the body which sets Dáil rules.

While Mr Barrett was elected for Fine Gael, sources close to him stress that he is impartial as Ceann Comhairle and has a record of standing up for the independence of parliament from Government.

“The Ceann Comhairle is left in an invidious position with inferences that he’s part of a Government majority on the CPP,” a source close to Mr Barrett said.

“He’s not. As a Ceann Comhairle he has been the strongest voice with regards to parliamentary independence from Government.”