Finance Dept rejects call for Udaras expenses investigation

The Department  of Finance has rejected a request from the Public Accounts Committee to investigate Údarás na Gaeltachta travel expenses.
Secretary general of the department Kevin Cardiff declined to provide a note stating he was satisfied all trips carried out by Údarás na Gaeltachta personnel adhered to public service travel guidelines.
Four Donegal members of the board each received in excess of 100 thousand euro each, over a four year period, in travel expenses.
Figures published earlier this year showed that the board’s Chairman Liam O Cuinneagain from Glencolumbcille, was paid more than €155,000 in fees and expenses since 2005.
Several Donegal members were among the highest recipients of expenses and fee
Burtonport Fianna Fáil member Daithi Alcorn earned nearly €120,000 between 2005 and 2009,  Donegal Senator Brian O Domhnaill received €115,000 while independent Donegal member Padraig O Dochartaigh received €105,000.
Rejecting a request for an investigation into travel expensesKevin Cardiff of the Finance Department said it would not be either feasible or appropriate for the Department  to undertake an exercise of this kind in relation to an individual State body.
Údarás na Gaeltachta strongly disputed what it called “misinformation on travel by Údarás executives”.
It has insisted its expenditure on travel complies fully with department guidelines.