Labour TD: PAC damaged by farcical session under McGuinness
The Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee John McGuinness faced a grilling by TDs today over the recent controversy surrounding his past as a junior minister.
Deputy McGuinness hit the headlines after it emerged that while he was a Junior Minister he argued the taxpayer should pay for ministerial spouses to travel abroad in some cases.
Mr McGuinness has said he didn't do anything wrong and should not resign over the issue.
He also claimed that some powerful forces were at work so that questions on certain issues would not be asked, and that he is "damn sure" leaks about his travel expenses came from the department and civil service.
However, Labour's Derek Nolan said the issue of engaging in conspiracy theories may now have damaged Mr McGuinness.
He said: "I have to say Deputy McGuiness, by engaging in it the way you have done, you have created a bigger problem for yourself.
"Your judgement has to be questioned as to whether you should have gone there at this point and I had no question whatever in my head that you were unsuitable until now and what this has turned into.
"Because, if we are talking of protecting the credibility of this committee, it has certainly been damaged by this farcical session."
