PAC won’t hear Ansbacher evidence

The civil servant at the centre of Ansbacher claims will not now be quizzed by the Dáil spending watchdog.

The Public Accounts Committee made the decision in closed session yesterday after receiving legal advice.

Enterprise Department official Gerard Ryan had compiled a dossier regarding on offshore accounts. He had wanted to give evidence in private, similar to Garda whistleblower Maurice McCabe . However, PAC members were toldhe was not covered by protected disclosure legislation, and decided to wind-up the inquiry.

Sinn Féin PAC member Mary Lou McDonald questioned the decision. The intervention led to criticism of her for naming, under Dáil privilege, former politicians listed in the dossier.

She said:“While this confirms advice I had received earlier about the limitations on the PAC’s powers, in this case I am nevertheless disappointed and moreover deeply concerned. It raises the question: If the PAC cannot do so, then who can..?

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