PAC wants public spending audited and new powers to compel witnesses

The Dáil’s spending watchdog, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) is seeking to extend its powers after it ran into legal difficulties in compelling two former Rehab bosses to appear before its hearings.

Angela Kerins, who resigned as chief executive of the disability charity in April and her predecessor Frank Flannery, who retired in 2006 and stepped down as board chairman in March will not now have to give evidence to the cross-party group.

The Committee on Procedures and Privileges (CPP) — which sets rules for the Dáil — said the PAC could not compel the two former Rehab bosses to appear as part of its examination of voluntary health agencies and charities who receive large sums of public money.