Dáil watchdog needs more teeth, says Allen

THE state’s spending watchdog must be beefed up and equipped with more wide-ranging investigative powers, its outgoing chairman said.

And in a veiled swipe at Bertie Ahern, veteran Fine Gael TD Bernard Allen, who is retiring from politics, described “charismatic and populist” taoisigh as “dangerous”.

The outgoing chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) was speaking yesterday after his shock announcement on Tuesday that he will not be contesting the general election, having represented the people of Cork North Central for more than 30 years.

Mr Allen, 66, who is stepping down for personal and health-related reasons, said his one disappointment was that the committee doesn’t have more powers.

“I will be asking Enda Kenny for one favour when he becomes Taoiseach — and he will become Taoiseach with the help of the public — that he strengthens the hand of the PAC committee and gives them more powers.

“It’s a watchdog, but at times it cannot bark.”

He said the experience and insight he got into the workings of Government departments and senior civil servants over the last three years made him fit for an office of a senior nature.

“I don’t go along with the populist attitude put out by some people that because you’re over 55 years of age, that you’re on the scrap heap,” he said. “I would reject that and that makes me angry. I felt that I still had a lot to contribute.

“I had experience and I believe my performance over last three years as chairman of PAC made me suitable for a senior position.”

This is one of the reasons his decision to retire was so difficult to make, he said.

Mr Allen, who backed Mr Kenny during last year’s leadership heave, also launched a strong defence of his style of leadership.

“I’m not a conspiracy theorist, but down through the years, Fine Gael leaders have been maligned and vilified by orchestrated campaigns against them…

“But when they became Taoiseach, they proved themselves.

“Taoisigh don’t have to be populist, they don’t have to be charismatic.

“These are dangerous people — those who are charismatic and populist.

“What we want are workers that have vision, conviction and the most important thing in life, is honesty.

“I believe Enda Kenny has all of those and I may be biased because of my friendship, but I sincerely believe if he is given a chance by the public, he will be prove himself to be an excellent Taoiseach.

“And we need somebody now to lead from the front.”

Meanwhile, Cllr Patricia Gosch and former MEP Colm Burke have emerged as possible candidates to replace Mr Allen on the party ticket in Cork North Central.

Mr Allen threw his support behind Ms Gosch yesterday.

Mr Burke, who came third in the party’s selection convention, has written to party headquarters, reaffirming his interest in running.