Frank Flannery lunched with Hogan after ignoring Dáil calls

Ex-Rehab CEO and long-time Fine Gael adviser Frank Flannery ignored calls to appear before the Dáil’s public accounts committee last Thursday because he was having lunch with a senior Government minister.

The revelation over the no-show was confirmed by Environment Minister Phil Hogan after Angela Kerins’ predecessor at the disability charity sparked outrage by failing to attend the cross-party grilling.

Speaking to reporters at the Fine Gael ard fheis, Mr Hogan admitted he met Mr Flannery at the same time as TDs tasked with ensuring State money is spent fairly were irate at the non-appearance of the regular visitor to Leinster House.

However, the Fine Gael minister insisted the lunch, metres away from where the ex-Rehab boss was meant to be, was simply a chance encounter.

“I was in the restaurant and happened to be with Frank Flannery and the head of tourism from Wales. I was asked to join that table to hear what the head of tourism intends to do to bring more business to Ireland,” Mr Hogan said.

The meeting came as the disability charity continues to be engulfed in a growing public crisis.

Last week, it emerged that current CEO Angela Kerins is contractually entitled to an annual bonus of up to 35% of her €240,000 basic salary — a figure that amounts to €84,000. When car allowances and pension entitlements are taken into account, her annual package exceeds €272,000.

However, the Rehab chief — who insists the group is a private entity despite receiving €83m a year from the State, not paying Dirt or corporation tax and having charitable status — said she cannot remember a series of other financial issues.

They include her average annual expenses, which she said are all vouched for; what her pension is likely to be; and what bonuses she received before “voluntarily” waiving them since 2010.

At last Thursday’s meeting Ms Kerins also refused to clarify what Mr Flannery’s salary and pension was before he left as CEO in 2006. The rates were requested to compare them with Ms Kerins.

Questions over Mr Flannery’s involvement in a coffin importation firm linked to Rehab, how he is now on the board of the group he left, and why he invoiced the charity for more than €77,000 in 2011 and 2012, failed to be answered.

This is because despite Mr Flannery, Rehab chair Brian Kerr and the charity’s remuneration committee, all being specifically asked to attend, Ms Kerins said other officials were “more appropriate” to answer the questions. None of these people were able to clarify matters.

Despite PAC chair John McGuinness warning all three of the no-show officials will be ordered to attend, Mr Flannery has “no intention” of complying with the call.

The issue will be discussed at Thursday’s PAC meeting, alongside calls for developer John Kelly — who brought Ms Kerins and Rehab PR adviser Michael Parker on numerous lucrative helicopter trips — to appear.

Further issues are dependent on whether Rehab provides the cross-party group with further financial details, as requested, which to date have yet to be explained.

Meanwhile, Boardmatch Ireland has found 60% of charity groups do not have a legal expert on their boards.

“Now more than ever it is essential charities have some legal expertise as the public and media spotlight continues to intensify. Boardmatch currently has over 600 high-calibre legal professionals looking to join a board, so the problem is not one of access or supply,” said CEO Chris White.