THE INVOLVEMENT of the Dublin Docklands Development Authority in the controversial purchase of the Irish Glass Bottle site for €426 million is to be investigated by the Comptroller and Auditor General.
The announcement was made yesterday by Minister for the Environment John Gormley following the publication of two reports into the activities of the authority.
He decided to refer the issue to the State’s spending watchdog following a recommendation from the chairwoman of the authority, Prof Niamh Brennan, that a further independent investigation into the purchase of the Irish Glass Bottle site was required.
Prof Brennan’s recommendation to the Minister came along with two independent reports into the authority, one dealing with planning issues and the other with financial and accounting practices.
One report found that there were serious weaknesses in aspects of the authority’s planning functions, while the other concluded that there was a loose culture in relation to some internal financial controls, and that value-for-money considerations were largely absent.
Welcoming the reports, Mr Gormley said their completion was a significant milestone for the authority, and reflected its willingness to review and reform its structures and practices in an open and transparent manner.
The Minister noted Prof Brennan’s conclusion that unanswered questions remained regarding the background to the purchase of the Irish Glass Bottle site and the granting of non-compliant or inconsistent planning certificates.
He said the Government had decided to bring the authority within the remit of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), which means it may be subject to reports on the efficient use of resources and value for money. “When the issue of a possible role for the CAG was raised in the Dáil back in December, I indicated at the time that I would keep this option under review in considering the final reports.
“Having now had a chance to consider the finalised reports, which were subject to a consultation process with current and former authority staff and board members, I have decided to proceed on this basis,” he said.
The Minister added: “I think much credit is due to the authority’s chair, Prof Niamh Brennan, who has, in her first year, done much to position the authority to address the significant challenges it faces.
“On foot of the corporate governance reports, she has already introduced stricter financial controls and a clearer delineation between the authority’s planning and development functions; these changes, coupled with her determination to complete the implementation of the reports’ recommendations, provide a robust basis for the future governance of the authority.”
Commenting on the future operation of the authority, Mr Gormley strongly endorsed the continuation of the current work under Prof Brennan’s stewardship.
“The authority is best placed to continue its valuable work of regenerating the docklands area and supporting key community and educational initiatives,” he added.
Copies of the final reports are available to view and download on the Department of the Environment’s website, www.environ.ie/en/