THE CHAIRMAN of the Public Accounts Committee has warned that unless it is given additional powers to summon witnesses and obtain information, its investigation into the Dublin Docklands Development Authority will become a “charade”.
Fine Gael TD Bernard Allen said he would seek a meeting with Minister for the Environment John Gormley to discuss the terms of reference of the committee for its investigation of the authority.
“During the PAC’s investigation of Fás, it became clear that the committee’s powers had been eroded by the provisions of the Data Protection Act,” Mr Allen said.
“Requests for information often carried less weight than similar requests under the Freedom of Information Act by other parties. Large areas of documentation were heavily redacted when presented to the committee.”
He said the committee also needs “greater powers” to compel witnesses to give evidence.
“Many key decision-makers at the DDDA have retired and could refuse to attend hearings,” Mr Allen said.
Speaking on RTÉ Radio's This Weekprogramme yesterday, Mr Gormley said there were difficulties in extending the committee's powers.
“At the moment, there are legal difficulties surrounding that,” he said. “I will have to get advice on that matter.”
Mr Gormley last week brought the docklands authority within the remit of the Comptroller Auditor General, allowing it to investigate the authority and its decision to join a consortium that purchased the former Irish Glass Bottle site in Ringsend in 2006 for €412 million. This deal was supported by funding from Anglo Irish Bank.
It is understood the Becbay consortium, which included financier Derek Quinlan and property developer Bernard McNamara, paid about €100 million more for the site than the next highest bidder.
Developer Seán Mulryan is believed to have been the underbidder, offering around €300 million for the property.
A docklands authority spokesman told The Irish Timesyesterday "these matters will no doubt be explored by the CAG and the DDDA will co-operate fully with that process".
The glass bottle site is being transferred to the National Asset Management Agency.
The agency is believed to be paying Anglo €50-€60 million for the site, which has been written down in value to zero on the books of the docklands authority.