In the News Today: Government Waste

[pete]

I think all these stories are only from todays news. What is going on?

Tánaiste asks auditor general to hold Fás inquiry

The request yesterday from the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Mary Coughlan, to the Comptroller Auditor General (CAG), John Buckley, comes after a series of media reports based on harshly critical Fás internal audit reports, and a report earlier this year from the CAG on compliance with procurement rules at the authority.

Garda Vehicle Procurement Policies

John Buckley pointed out that it would have been "good commercial practice" to seek a discount on bulk purchases of more than 700 vehicles but that apparently no attempt had been made to do so.

216 vehicles purchased in December 2006 and costing €3.8 million, were still in storage in February 2008.

Troops receive €25m Border duty bonus despite peace

ALMOST €25 MILLION has been paid to members of the Defence Forces as a Border duty allowance in the five-year period 2003-2007, despite the greatly changed security situation in Northern Ireland.

The IRA has been on ceasefire since 1997 and since 2002 there have been no patrols, checkpoints, searches or requests for the disposal of explosive ordnance.

Developer levies not spent

A TOTAL of €1.2 billion in levies paid by developers to local authorities for the provision of services like roads, playgrounds and sports grounds, was unspent at the end of 2006.

Revenue Commissioners delay in taxing own staff

DELAYS BY the Revenue in identifying obligations to tax benefit-in-kind (Bik) of approximately €2 million paid to its own staff is highlighted in the report.

[Macy]

Any sign of any political responsibility being taken yet?

[Dodge]

I think all these stories are only from todays news. What is going on?

Well they're news today because the Comptroller & Auditor General released his report yesterday.

Good to see someone in government looking at ways to cut back spending rather than through wage cuts and recruitment freezes

[pete]

The Comptroller & Auditor General has released some excellent reports but not convinced will be any action. C&AG doing a good job when not having laptops stolen.

Up to the Ministers responsible to act decisively.

Can the Comptroller & Auditor General start investigations independently or does it need approval from the Government/Dail?