Even though the position of the water charges debacle at the very apex of public administration and political failure seemed unassailable, it may yet have to cede that dubious distinction to the national children’s hospital.

The Department of Education will be grilled by TDs next month on whether it really expects religious orders to pay everything owed under a 2002 deal on the costs of redress for institutional abuse.

Details of a contract worth €500,000 to install recording equipment in garda stations across the country has been sought by the Dáil’s Public Accounts Committee, which is considering whether to carry out further investigations.