Dublin Docklands CEO comes before PAC

The Acting CEO of the Dublin Docklands Development Authority (DDDA), Eileen Quinlivan is appearing before the Public Accounts  this morning to discuss its accounts for 2012.

Following a special report by the Comptroller and Auditor General in February 2012 the Government took the decision to wind down the authority which is due to occur this summer after which time the powers and functions of the authority transferring to Dublin City Council.

Part of the reason for the the wind down of the authority was a €412 million deal entered intothe authority in 2006 for the Irish Glass Bottle site, which ultimately cost the Dublin Docklands Development Authority €52 million.

The vice chairman of the committee, Kieran O’Donnell, said this had left the Authority in a “perilous financial position” .

Mr O’Donnell said the Committee will “be keen to discuss progress on dissolution of the authority with a particular emphasis on assets currently remaining to be disposed of”.

He said the liabilities of the authority stood at €24 million at the end of 2012 and that the committee would discuss this and progress on the redeployment of staff and voluntary redundancy.

“The Committee may wish to ascertain how two instances of non-compliance with public procurement rules referred to in the C&AG audit certificate occurred, which involved two consultancy services who were paid €429,000 in 2012, particularly in light of the fact that shortcomings in the area of procurement were also noted during the 2010 audit,” Mr O’Donnell said.

“The audit certificate also refers to contracts of indefinite duration, which were awarded to four staff members. The circumstances which gave rise to these contracts being awarded as well as any costs associated will be of interest.”