SIPTU warned to co-operate with inquiries into bank account

The trade union SIPTU has today to be served notice by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) to co-operate with inquiries into the operation of a bank account that financed trips abroad for both union and public officials.

Reports into the SIPTU National Health and Local Authority Levy Fund have found a lack of governance by State authorities on how public monies were spent.

More than €4m was paid into the account, which was in the name of union officials.

SIPTU claims that the payments were '"unauthorised", but there are no receipts or invoices to cover €1.15m.

Public Accounts Committee member, Labour TD Derek Nolan, said that there is a lack of co-operation from SIPTU, which led Chairman John McGuinness to say that he would write to the union.