Taoiseach backs civil servant over Aer Lingus controversy
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern is defending the most senior civil servant in his Department today after it emerged that the Taoiseach's office was made aware of the airline's decision to drop Heathrow slots at Shannon Airport before it became official.
According to reports in today's Irish Examiner newspaper, Dermot McCarthy was informed of the move by the Department of Transport on July 27.
However, he reportedly did not tell Mr Ahern, despite the fact that a Cabinet meeting was held three days later.
Mr Ahern said his secretary's role related to industrial relations problems and not the ending of the service.
Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny called on the Tánaiste and the Taoiseach to make statements to the Dáil on when they first knew of the Aer Lingus decision.
“Does the Government intend to introduce a working early warning system to ensure that when information such as this comes to light it is transmitted to the ministers concerned?” he asked.
“It seems that ministers hear nothing and in many cases do nothing and in almost all cases see nothing.”
Mr Kenny pointed out that Public Service Management Act 1997 requires Government ministers to ensure that is a prompt and efficient flow of information within their departments.
The Ceann Comhairle again ruled that the issue was out of order.
But Mr Kenny added: “Arising under this 1997 Act is the fact that departments were informed by Aer Lingus well in advance of a decision being made by the chief executive and before the Minister for Transport and the Marine was informed.
“The public and the House need to be told the truth of the extent of their knowledge about this. I submit this is in order.”
