Report finds €738m was taken from State's Central Fund without proper authorisation

The Comptroller and Auditor General said the withdrawal was 'a matter of serious concern'

The Department of Finance took €738m from the Central Fund of the Exchequer without the proper authorisation, a new report has found. Picture: Jason Alden/Bloomberg

The Department of Finance took €738m from the Central Fund of the Exchequer without the proper authorisation, a new report has found.

Both the Department and the Central Bank have been criticised for the withdrawal, which the Comptroller and Auditor General said was "a matter of serious concern".