PAC chair seeking all files on CRC payoff

The Dáil Public Accounts Committee chairman, John McGuinness, will today contact the interim administrator at the scandal-hit Central Remedial Clinic, as he seeks all files relevant to the €740,000 pension payoff for its former CEO.

Mr McGuinness wants to establish when the documents will be available before he hauls the nine-strong former board in for a grilling. He said he is particularly interested in all financial documents, legal advice and minutes of board meetings in relation to axed chief executive Paul Kiely’s gold-plated payoff.

He also wants administrator John Cregan, appointed by the HSE, to uncover all necessary documents surrounding the appointment of ex-chief executive Brian Conlan and the use of credit cards by senior staff.

Mr McGuinness, who chairs the public spending watchdog, said, despite reports that some documents had gone missing, he was confident they just hadn’t yet been located because of the chaotic filing system at the clinic.

All nine board members will this week be placed “on notice” that they are all to attend PAC together in an effort to avoid a repeat of Mr Kiely’s evidence before Christmas when he did not reveal the secret €740,000 deal and only told of his charity-funded lump sum of €200,000 — without any contradiction.

PAC member Shane Ross yesterday said other senior staff members at the CRC should be invited to appear so circumstances surrounding Mr Kiely’s “hush hush” deal could be examined.

He agreed the PAC would legally have to compel any of the ex-board members to attend if they refused.

As of last night there had been no correspondence between the HSE and Mr Kiely over the issue of paying back the €740,000 which represents half a year’s charity fundraising.

Junior Health Minister Kathleen Lynch said all “excess monies”, including the €742,000 retirement package paid to Paul Kiely, should be paid back.

She expressed concern that those who contributed to the CRC may be reluctant to do so in future.

“I think it is important, now, that those who avail of the services of the CRC should be on the board of directors.”

Her comments follow those of Transport Minister Leo Varadkar who yesterday became the latest member of the Cabinet to call on Mr Kiely to return at least some of the money. Mr Varadkar said those in receipt of such large payoffs from public bodies usually had employment law on their side.

“I don’t think this is just a matter of law. It is also a matter of principle.”

Asked if he felt Mr Kiely should repay at least some of the money, he said: “I think it would be appropriate”.

It is understood Jim Nugent, former chairman and chief executive of the CRC, and ex-chief executive Brian Conlan are willing to reappear before the Committee.