The influential Dail Committee of Public Accounts yesterday approved a proposal from its chairman, Mr Jim Mitchell, to send files relating to the National Roads Authority to the Garda.

Confirming that the files had been forwarded, a statement from the committee said four local authorities were reported by the Comptroller and Auditor General to have submitted false certificates to claim payment for road projects. But, contrary to the certification, the projects had not been completed.

The committee said false invoices were submitted by the county councils of Cork, Tipperary North and South and Donegal, after being procured by them from prospective contractors.

The committee has directed the Department of the Environment to check whether any similar incidents might have arisen. It proposed that the Department introduce new safeguards and these are said to be in place.