Laois TD insists public 'expect transparency' on delivery of big budget projects
Laois TD wants Government Departments to tell TDs and Senators how projects are progressing and how money is being spent
Government departments must regularly appear before TDs to explain what’s been done to deliver on public projects that cost millions in taxpayers' money.
That’s according to Fianna Fáil TD for Laois and Chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Infrastructure and National Development Plan Delivery, Seán Fleming.
Following the ballooning costs and delivery overruns on projects such as the National Children’s Hospital, the committee was set up by the Government after the last election to help accelerate the delivery of big budget projects but also to ensure that the public’s money is being spent as intended and without waste.
Dep Fleming insists that Government bodies and Departments must appear before the Committee on a regular basis to account for their delivery of major and urgent infrastructure projects and the significant levels of public funding they receive.
The qualified accountant said the committee has an important role in ensuring major bodies and departments deliver on the annual financial commitments made under the National Development Plan and provide value for the taxpayers' money allocated to them.
"As Chair of the Committee on Infrastructure and National Development Plan Delivery, I believe these Delivery Bodies should appear before the Committee on a regular basis to update members on the progress of major projects under their remit across the country.
"These Government bodies are responsible for delivering the largest and most important infrastructure projects in the State. They receive substantial funding from Government every year, and it is entirely appropriate that there is regular parliamentary oversight of how taxpayers' money is being invested in a timely manner.
"It is important that the funding allocated to infrastructure is used efficiently and delivers for communities across the country,” he said.
The TD said that when people see significant public investment going to these Government bodies, they must have confidence that the money is being used efficiently and that projects are being delivered in a timely and efficient manner.
"I have already arranged for the five Government departments with the largest infrastructure budgets to appear before the Committee, including Housing, Health, Education, Climate and Energy, and Transport. The Delivery Bodies under these departments will also appear regularly. The Committee is the appropriate public forum to monitor progress on an ongoing and regular basis, identify challenges and ensure major infrastructure projects are being delivered.
"Public investment in infrastructure is substantial, and people rightly expect transparency and accountability. Regular engagement with these Delivery Bodies and the five key departments will help ensure projects stay on track, challenges are identified early, and taxpayers are getting the much-needed urgent investment while also getting value for money," he concluded.