Sinn Féin Chief Whip Pádraig Mac Lochlainn TD has today challenged Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and Labour to remain consistent with the position they agreed to at the Dáil Committee of Selection today.

Deputy Mac Lochlainn was commenting after the Committee of Selection today unanimously agreed to support the nomination of Mairéad Farrell TD as chair of the Public Accounts Committee and to appoint Matt Carty as a member of the committee.

Teachta Mac Lochlainn said:

“Sinn Féin is proud to nominate Mairéad Farrell as the first woman chairperson of the committee. We are also proud to nominate Matt Carthy to join the committee. Matt Carthy served on the PAC for over three years previously, effectively and diligently.

“These are two very strong nominations that I will move on behalf of the Dáil Committee of Selection next week.

“Throughout this week, Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Labour Party representatives have all said publicly that they would not support the right of Sinn Féin to nominate a new chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee.

“Despite everything they have said publicly, when it was put to Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Labour Party at the Dáil Committee of Selection today by the Ceann Comhairle that Mairéad Farrell would be nominated as chair of the PAC and that Matt Carthy would join the committee, the proposal was unanimously agreed to by all parties.

“Oireachtas committees are based on the strength of political representation in the Dáil and Seanad, and are totally democratic. As per the D’Hondt system, it is for Sinn Féin to nominate the chairperson of the PAC.

“Four ministers have resigned or been sacked during the lifetime of this government – two senior ministers and two junior ministers – in controversial circumstances. At no occasion were the committee changes that followed objected to. It would be unprecedented to attempt to intervene in this democratic process.

“I am therefore now challenging Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Labour Party that when the motion goes before the Dáil to appoint Mairéad Farrell as PAC chair and for Matt Carthy to join the committee, that they will be consistent with the democratic system of the Oireachtas and remain consistent with position they agreed to today.”