Chief whip accused of interference by PAC

The Government’s chief whip has admitted his office contacted the Dáil’s spending watchdog to find out in advance what it wanted to ask health officials at a meeting this week.

It comes amid accusations by the chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, Fianna Fáil TD John McGuinness, of attempted interference with its work.

Paul Kehoe, the chief whip, confirmed he had a member of his office contact the PAC in advance “looking for the remit of the committee and the exact content of what they were going to be discussing”.