A member of the Public Accounts Committee has said that the Department of Public Expenditure has given a “Harvey Smith” to the committee. Mr Watt was heard telling his own officials after meeting Mr Fleming that the PAC chair needed to “control the mob” over the non-appearance of Mr Quinn. Mr Fleming told the meeting that the only person who was obliged to attend before the PAC was the accounting officer, Mr Watt, and Mr Quinn was not obliged to attend. He said Mr Watt could decide which officials would accompany him. “You are saying if Mr Watt wants to bring the groundsman from the OPW with him that’s his prerogative,” said Mr MacSharry.

Source: The Irish Times March 07, 2019 10:18 UTC