Oireachtas backs PAC appeal over Angela Kerins files

The Leinster House authorities have backed an appeal against a High Court ruling that a range of private documents should be disclosed to the former Rehab chief Angela Kerins by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC).

Ms Kerins is suing the PAC for damages for alleged distress and injury to her health. She claims the PAC conducted itself unlawfully, showed bias towards her, acted outside its remit, during hearings into the remuneration at Rehab last year. The PAC denies her claims.

Last week, Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy ruled that Ms Kerins was entitled to certain documents used by the PAC relating to its probe into Rehab funding.

A special meeting of the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission was convened yesterday to decide whether or not to fund the appeal by the PAC in a case which has already cost a considerable amount.

Concerned

Last night a commission source said it was concerned at the potential adverse impact that the judgment might have on Oireachtas committees. “As a point of principle intended to safeguard the work of all Oireachtas committees the Commission agreed to support an appeal of the judgment to the Court of Appeal,” he added.