Enda Kenny supports PAC Garda move

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has backed the PAC’s decision to involve gardaí in the deepening Rehab affair, saying that he “expects” the charity to provide full financial transparency when it returns to the Dáil committee next month.

Speaking from Washington DC, where he is on official business in the lead-up to St Patrick’s Day, Mr Kenny said the spending watchdog is within its rights to have contacted police after the latest allegations.

“The PAC is an independent committee of the Dáil, always was, and if the committee feel there is an issue arising from the letter they have received, that is a matter for the gardaí to deal with, then I fully respect the decision of the committee in that matter. I obviously don’t have any control over the PAC, it’s a matter ent-irely for the committee. If they feel this is an issue that the gardaí should examine then that’s their perfect right and I will support that.”

When asked about complaints from the PAC that Rehab and ex-Fine Gael adviser Frank Flannery have failed to reveal details vital to explaining how €83m in taxpayers’ money is spent, Mr Kenny added: “I assume arising from the written responses that Rehab have submitted to the PAC that these matters will be dealt with further.

“I would expect so. Where charities are concerned and public monies are concerned, charities should be open and transparent so that people can have confidence in the donations that they make.”

The comment came as the PAC confirmed it will call senior Rehab officials — including three who failed to attend last month’s grilling — to its meeting on April 10. The cross-party body’s chair, John McGuinness, said it was the “unanimous” decision to ask Rehab CEO Angela Kerins, chair Brian Kerr, the group’s remuneration committee and its director of finance to attend and provide full explanations for still unresolved issues.

Ms Kerins’ predecessor Frank Flannery — who this week stood down as a director with the group, from charitable bodies, and as a powerful Fine Gael adviser due to the controversy — will also be asked to attend.

During yesterday’s meeting, Department of Justice secretary general Brian Purcell confirmed he had one formal meeting with Mr Flannery about the Government’s charitable lotteries scheme, despite Mr Flannery being paid €70,000 to lobby on the matter.

It is also expected that a long-awaited report on the Central Remedial Clinic by HSE administrator, John Cregan, will be concluded by the April 10 meeting.