Public accounts committee members insist Rehab’s former chief executive must co-operate

Members of the Oireachtas Committee of Public Accounts (PAC) said last night the resignation of Angela Kerins as chief executive of the Rehab Group “changes nothing” in terms of its investigation into matters relating to pay at the charity.

Ms Kerins’s exit yesterday followed prolonged political pressure on Rehab, but Government and Opposition TDs on the PAC said they still expected her “full co-operation”.

“With Ms Kerins, we still expect her full co-operation with the PAC as we work through myriad issues,” said Sinn Féin deputy leader Mary Lou McDonald. “I must emphasise that the matters of public concern regarding pay arrangements at Rehab remain unchanged irrespective of the resignation of Ms Kerins.

“The PAC will continue to probe these matters on behalf of the taxpayers, the service users and in the general interest of the public. We will continue to expect Ms Kerins’s complete co-operation as former chief executive.

“As such, we expect full and frank disclosure from herself and from former chief executive Frank Flannery when appearing before the PAC next Thursday and indeed from all current or former Rehab officers that the committee calls in as witnesses.

“If Angela Kerins has resigned in the vain hope that this will let her off the hook with the PAC, then she is sorely mistaken,” added Ms McDonald.

Fine Gael TD and PAC member Simon Harris said the departure of Ms Kerins “does not and must not preclude her from appearing before the PAC”. He added he was surprised by the timing of the move.

“We were due to meet with senior executives at Rehab, including Ms Kerins, Frank Flannery, the chairman of the Rehab Group, and the remuneration committee next week,” he said.

“Ms Kerins had said to the committee when she was last before it that she was willing to co-operate and bring closure to the issue and the questions that we had. Considering we were due to meet in only a week’s time, I’m surprised by her decision.

“I think it’s very important in the interests of Rehab and all the users of services that she does nonetheless come before the committee next Thursday.”

Mr Harris added that the Rehab Group provides important services around the country and its reputation must be repaired. “Let me say that the Rehab Group provides excellent services around the country and the work on the ground is exceptional,” he said.