Green chief denies probe claim

ENVIRONMENT Minister John Gormley has said he is very anxious the Comptroller and Auditor General be given the power to fully examine the Dublin Docklands Development Authority.

However, he denied accusations he had instigated a charade of an investigation by asking the over-burdened C&AG’s office to probe the issues without extra support.

Mr Gormley said he had no difficulty with the C&AG’s office getting more powers, but this was a matter for Finance Minister Brian Lenihan.

Mr Gormley told RTÉ he had taken advice from the Attorney General’s office before he decided to ask the C&AG and the Public Accounts’ Committee to probe the controversial agency.

He said it was up to the C&AG to come back to the Government and outline what he needs in terms of powers or resources.

Chair of the PAC Bernard Allen said the Government needed to bring in laws to overcome data protection and personal reputation issues before it took on something as explosive as the DDDA.

“Although the PAC has the power to compel the accounting officer from a state agency to attend, there are instances where an agency’s chief executive is not deemed to be the accounting officer. This occurred during the committee’s investigation of Fás, and could occur again in any investigation of the DDDA.

“It is crucial that new legislation is passed to grant the PAC the power to summon a wider range of witnesses. This is a recurring problem for the committee... Many key decision-makers at the DDDA have retired and could refuse to attend hearings,” he said.

The airing of the inner dealings at the DDDA in a public forum would likely be a headache for a Government conspicuously trying to distance itself from the mistakes of the past.

However, there was further evidence yesterday this strategy is not gaining traction.

After this month’s media blitz by Taoiseach Brian Cowen, the Sunday Business Post/Red C poll showed Fianna Fáil had once again failed to rise above the 25% in support.

Despite a fall in support for Fine Gael and the Labour Party, Fianna Fáil was at 24%, an increase of one point.

It is now 14 months since they collapsed in the opinion polls to commence a battle with the Labour Party for third place.

Eamon Gilmore’s Labour Party were at 22% in the latest poll.