Calls to tackle overspending

A CABINET post of Minister for Public Expenditure should be established to tackle huge overspends in publicly funded projects, chairman of the Dáil Public Accounts Committee Michael Noonan said last night.

Mr Noonan said ministers must also take a direct role in watching day-to-day spending and be accountable to the Dáil.

He said the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) cannot fulfil the role of watchdog with regard to ongoing projects and their daily spending.