Public to fund defence against Kerins

Taxpayers will be told today they must fund the Dáil public accounts committee’s legal defence against ousted Rehab chief executive Angela Kerins, who is taking a case over claims she was mistreated by the body.

A motion expected to go before TDs this afternoon, which is due to pass without debate, will seek to release the public money to allow the group to contest the challenge in the courts.

The motion is to be issued to allow for the legal proceedings to get under way “in a manner that safeguards” the taxpayer from further expense, but does not stipulate the amount of money being set aside.

The move follows a private meeting of the Houses of Oireachtas Commission last night, during which legal advice was presented.

Ms Kerins was granted leave by the High Court in July to bring a case against the PAC, and individual members, based on what she alleges was her mistreatment by the cross-party group during its examination of how charities spend taxpayers’ money.

In particular, Ms Kerins has alleged the PAC was biased, acted outside its remit in an unlawful manner, and mistreated her during lengthy public meetings over her salary, pension and other Rehab-related matters.

The Oireachtas has until Monday week to indicate to the court if it intends contesting the challenge.

While there is a risk involved, it is understood there is a view from the PAC and other Dáil bodies that the challenge cannot be ignored and must be contested.

Speaking after Ms Kerins’ move was announced in July, PAC chairman and Fianna Fáil TD John McGuinness said there was a fundamental principle at stake. “The Oireachtas and the PAC is there to carry out a particular function. I believe that in all of this that the members treated fairly all of the witnesses that came before us,” he said.