Taoiseach hopes PAC won’t have to compel former CRC board

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has said he hopes the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) will not have to use its powers of compellability to force former Central Remedial Clinic (CRC) directors to appear before it.

The PAC is calling the CRC board which approved a €740,000 retirement payoff to former chief executive Paul Kiely before it to give evidence. Mr Kiely was given the package after he left his post as chief executive of the clinic in June last year with a clause stipulation that the deal be kept secret.

The PAC has been told that the deal included included €200,000 tax free, €273,336 which was taxable and €268,689 paid into Mr Kiely's pension fund. Minister for Health James Reilly has also called for the money to be returned, saying that what happened was "quite shameful" and highlighting the need for increased "transparency."

Committee chairman John McGuinness has said compellability could be used to recall the former CRC board, but he hopes it will not be needed.

On his way into the weekly Cabinet meeting this morning, Mr Kenny echoed these comments.

“Hopefully, they won’t be required,” the Taoiseach said.

Minister for Public Expenditure Brendan Howlin also said "everyone should make themselves amenable" to appearing before committees.

“I brought in legislation to make things more efficient. It’s used in order to get out the full truth. Everybody should make themselves more amenable to this.”

“This Government is working together to get this country back to work and getting investment. The journey is about 80 per cent completed.”