Three coalition leaders to ‘discuss’ whether to back Farrell as new PAC chair

The three coalition leaders are to discuss whether to back Sinn Fein’s proposed replacement for Brian Stanley as chair of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), a minister has said.

The comments, from Agriculture minister Charlie McConalogue, drew robust criticism from Sinn Fein TD Louise O’Reilly.

Mr Stanley resigned from Sinn Fein last weekend amid a controversy relating to a complaint made against him.

He has claimed he was subjected to a “character assassination” by a clique within the party and likened its processes to a kangaroo court.

The chairs of Oireachtas committees are normally appointed through a system which is designed to proportionately reflect each party’s representation in the Dail chamber.

Sinn Fein has proposed that current PAC member Mairead Farrell will replace Mr Stanley in his role as chair of the committee.

The party also wants Mr Stanley removed from the committee with the empty seat to be filled by Sinn Fein TD Matt Carthy as a returning member.

Representatives from Government and other opposition parties have previously suggested they would not co-operate with a new Sinn Fein chair until the party provided full transparency on a series of recent controversies it has been hit by.

However, Ms Farrell’s and Mr Carthy’s nominations passed through an Oireachtas selection committee unanimously on Thursday.

The move to formally change the make-up of the committee will go to the Dail for approval this week.

Appearing on RTE’s The Week in Politics on Sunday, Fianna Fail minister Mr McConalogue was asked whether his party would be objecting to Ms Farrell taking on the role when the matter comes before the Dail.

“That’s something that’s been dealt with so far at the procedure and management committee, but I believe it is something that also is going to be discussed by the three party leaders tomorrow evening,” he said.

“So I won’t pre-empt the decision and discussion that they have on the matter.”

Ms O’Reilly, who was also appearing on the programme, criticised the remarks.

“This is news to me,” she said.

“The three party leaders are going to discuss who’s the appropriate person to chair the PAC? I can tell you now that is a massive break, not just with the norm.

“The Public Accounts Committee is a very powerful committee. It is the committee that holds the Government to account. The notion that the three party leaders who lead government are going to come together and decide whom they think is the appropriate person.

“Mairead Farrell is more than able to hold this government and any state agencies to account. She will make a fine chairperson of the PAC, and I am very proud that my party is going to nominate her.”