Public money has been used to build a bar, restaurant and cinema for a private company to make a profit, the Public Accounts Committee (Pac) has heard. Fianna Fáil TD and Pac member Marc MacSharry said because the cinema was ultimately taken over by Element Pictures on the basis it would run a for-profit cinema, the project represented “the most appalling waste and poor use of public funds”. A report on the cinema project was compiled by the Comptroller and Auditor General last year. Element Pictures subsequently assumed control of the Pálás lease but must run it as an art house cinema. The department will undertake a post-project review later this year once final accounts on the cinema have been delivered.

Source: The Irish Times March 29, 2018 13:18 UTC