Boom led to ‘looseness’ in spending, Dáil hears

THE boom years led to a “looseness of procedures” in spending by public bodies when Fás was not the only body splurging taxpayers’ money, according to the chairman of the Dáil Public Accounts Committee, Bernard Allen.

The committee has written to the Minister for Finance, Brian Lenihan, demanding it is given a role in overlooking the work of the National Assets Management Agency when legislation to set up the agency is published in July.

The spending watchdog yesterday launched its report on the use of taxpayers’ money in 2006, highlighting cost overruns and missed deadlines. “When money was flúirseach (plentiful) I believe a looseness of procedures evolved over a period of time,” said Mr Allen.