Opposition maintains pressure on Govt over PPARS system

The opposition has continued to attack the Government in the Dáil over the health service's controversial computerised payroll system.

The introduction of the PPARS system is expected to be suspended by the Health Service Executive today pending a review of its quality and value for money.

Speaking in the Dáil this morning, Labour Party TD Liz McManus slammed the fact that the consultancy firm Deloitte and Touche received €13.5m in fees out of the €116m cost of the system.

She said the company had been censured by the Institute of Chartered Accountants after the McCracken Tribunal found that it had been remiss in relation to its activities.

"Surely that is something that the Government should take into account when awarding contracts to consultants," she said.

Meanwhile, the Tánaiste, Mary Harney, told the Dail that Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny was wrong yesterday when he said €40,000 of taxpayers' money was spent on a party in Sligo to celebrate the installation of the PPARS system.

Ms Harney said the event was a Christmas party that was paid for by the staff involved and this was made clear in documents released to Mr Kenny under freedom of information legislation.