The renowned Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the Dáil is convening today with Catherine Murphy of the Social Democrats directing the meeting, stepping in for former Sinn Féin TD Brian Stanley who is absent. Mr Stanley separated himself from Sinn Féin the previous weekend following how the party dealt with a complaint lodged against him. While the accusations towards Mr Stanley held no criminal implications, he suggested a counter-complaint in response.
Sinn Féin expressed that he was counselled by the organisation to approach the Garda with his grievances, and later the overall situation was forwarded to the law enforcement. With Stanley’s departure, Galway West TD Mairéad Farrell has been proposed by the party to become the new head of the PAC, leading to possible political tension.
The Labour Party has hinted that it will not cooperate with the nomination, while government TDs have voiced that they would not coordinate with a new Sinn Féin chairperson at PAC. The proposition is likely to be the centre of discussion at the Dáil business committee meeting on Thursday, where some members may oppose Ms Farrell’s nomination for the PAC chairwoman position.
Presently, today’s PAC committee assembly is being led by the deputy chairperson Ms Murphy, together with the Charities Regulator.