Former marine minister Mr Frank Fahey yesterday described a civil service report on his decision to sanction the building of four marinas on the west coast as an attack on his credibility.
Mr Fahey defended his decision yesterday at a Joint Oireachtas Committee meeting.
The policy was heavily criticised by a report given to the committee by the Department's general secretary, Mr Brendan Touhy. It said current difficulties being experienced were due to an "accountability limbo".
The highly critical report said that the marinas in Rosses Point in Co Sligo, Kenmare in Co Kerry, Roundstone in Co Galway and Cahirciveen in Co Kerry failed to meet criteria set out under the National Development Plan.
It also said that despite these shortcomings, there was a "considerable political wish that these projects progress; and any difficulties arising for the Department were to be seen in the context of the projects progressing as rapidly as possible".
Addressing the committee, Mr Fahey, now Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment said: "This report is a mere white-wash.
"It is a clear attempt by the Department officials to cover their butt. For two and a half years I worked in the Department and not once did any of the concerns mentioned in today's report come to light."
The committee also heard submissions from each of the project managers, all of whom stressed the projects were not merely economically viable but were "crucial to the economic future" of the localities.
Mr Noel Connery, project manager of the Roundstone marina, told the committee that local residents have so far raised €750,000 to ensure the realisation of the "much needed marina".
He stressed that the berths bought up by locals will be made available for tourists, an issue that was of concern to the Department.
The Caherciveen marina came into operation in 2002 and was presented to the committee as a success story that the others could replicate.
However, Mr Touhy told the committee in his report that the plans as they stand are economically and financially questionable, and issues exist over the future liability of the marinas if any accidents or injuries were to occur.
"It is clear that the Pale is alive and well in the Government. I am proud of the decision I took to realise these marinas," Mr Fahey said.
"It has been made clear here today that the concerns that they would not be economically viable are completely unfounded," he added.
The committee heard that the developers and project managers had previously agreed that they, and not the State, would meet or underwrite any losses incurred in the future.