Parlon rejects criticism of OPW from Oireachtas watchdog

Junior Minister Tom Parlon has defended the Office of Public Works following sharp criticism of the body in a report from the Oireachtas Public Accounts Committee today.

The committee accused the OPW of wasting millions of euros in taxpayers' money, particularly when it spent €19m on accommodation for asylum seekers that was never used.

Mr Parlon rejected this criticism, however, saying the centres in question had lain idle because of court challenges from local objectors.

"You could say that is a loss and it certainly frustrates me that that has been the case," he said, "but we will move on those properties. They will be sold on the open market."