Sinn Féin spokesperson for Further and Higher Education, Mairéad Farrell, is to be nominated to join the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) when the Oireachtas resumes in September.

PAC is one of the foremost Oireachtas Committees, which plays a significant role in ensuring accountability and transparency in the way government departments, offices and certain public bodies allocate, spend and manage their finances.

Teachta Farrell previously served on the Finance Committee and the Budgetary Oversight Committee during her time as spokesperson for Public Expenditure and Reform and now serves on the Education Committee.

Teachta Farrell said:

“First off, I’m delighted to be nominated to join PAC by Sinn Féin. As this is one of the most important standing committees in Dáil Éireann I understand the scale of the work which lies ahead and relish the opportunity to play my part on that committee.

“My colleague Imelda Munster served with distinction, holding people to account and delving into the detail of everything that has come before her. She will be a tough act to follow.

“However, I hope that my previous experience will stand me in good stead. I come from a professional background in finance, and since being elected I have served on the Finance Committee and the Committee on Budgetary Oversight, where I got into the nuts and bolts of public spending, issues of accountability and transparency.

“In the last number of years, I’ve produced opposition bills in relation to the Protected Disclosures regime, the Freedom of Information regime, the Lobbying regime and in relation to the Standards in Public Office (SIPO). So, I’m certainly no stranger to these matters. Should I be successful, then I think I will be able to make a serious contribution to the PAC, and I look forward to a good working relationship with my fellow members.

“The work of the PAC is interlinked with that of the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG) which audits 289 sets of accounts and financial statements produced by public bodies. The C&AG also conducts investigations and value for money reports, so I’m looking forward to playing my part in. As the party’s spokesperson for Higher Education, I am also conscious that one third level institution was recently before the PAC, so I’m hoping I can play a constructive role in any such future engagements.”