Shock, anger and disbelief at ‘emotional’ PAC hearing

“I don’t think I have ever been at a meeting where the emotions are such that we are actually angered and saddened. What we are hearing is how a noble concept, the Friends and Supporters group was turned into the Directors and Friends group.”

The words of Simon Harris (Fine Gael) encapsulated the sheer disbelief at the information that emerged at yesterday’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on the pay, perks and pensions at the senior levels of the Central Remedial Clinic.

“Pure dynamite” is how Limerick TD, Kieran O’Donnell (FG) described the story of how a charity, Friends and Supporters of the CRC — which raised funds through volunteers up and down the country for disability services — was turned into a “slush fund” for top management.