PAC may probe cost of tape systems

The waste of state money involved in the installation of €500,000 worth of recording systems at Garda stations may be investigated by the Dáil’s Public Account’s Committee (PAC).

Independent TD Shane Ross said he will be asking fellow committee members to examine the circumstances under which the system was put out to open tender in 2007 and a contract subsequently given to the NICE brand in 2008.

“The question the PAC will have to look at is the value for money of this. But there is a much more fundamental question: was this legal or was it not,” Mr Ross said.

He said the committee’s inquiries would include hearing from Department of Justice officials as well as the now-retired Garda Commissioner, Martin Callinan, because “he was the person responsible for bringing this to the attention of the department”.

The tender was for a number of recording devices and asked for:

* Apparatus for sound, video-recording and reproduction;

* Video recording or reproducing apparatus;

* Television and radio receivers, and sound or video recording or reproducing;

* Digital transmission apparatus and maintenance services of radio-communications equipment.

It’s reported that devices were installed in 21 stations — including Garda HQ in the Phoenix Park and Dublin’s Harcourt Street Station — at a cost of €500,000.

Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, Mr Ross denied he was seeking a slice of the latest big news story, this time the one surrounding Garda station phone recordings for his committee.