Refusal of top civil servant to appear before committee 'is an affront to democracy'

Secretary General Robert Watt has refused to appear before an Oireachtas Committee on the PSC. Image: Leah Farrell Secretary General Robert Watt has refused to appear before an Oireachtas Committee on the PSC. Image: Leah Farrell THE REFUSAL OF Secretary General of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Robert Watt to appear before an Oireachtas committee “is an affront to democracy”.

The refusal of the secretary general to appear comes alongside Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe’s refusal to appear before the committee.Cost of the card to the State He also told TheJournal.ie last week that no court documents have been filed by the government on the matter as of yet. Robert Watt, Secretary General at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform; Minister for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform, Paschal Donohoe and Minister of State fPatrick O’Donovan. Source: RollingNews.ie

“I did so in the sincere hope that Minister Doherty’s response to the Data Protection Commissioner’s report and covering letter and the Minister’s request for a meeting, might have led to a round of positive discussions without any need to defer to the Courts for a definitive decision. Data Protection Commissioner Helen Dixon has ordered the government to immediately stop processing the data of citizens contained on the card for services outside of the Department of Social Protection’s remit.In a statement to TheJournal.ie, a spokesman for the commission confirmed that it is preparing to issue a so-called enforcement notice to the department, which would order it to comply with data protection laws and to protect the rights of citizens.

“First, as Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, my interests lie in the judicious use of public finances. I believe it is a public service obligation to carry out the administration of services not only effectively, but also as efficiently as possible.

Either these committees have the power to summon people or they dont. If not what is the point. I would prefer the money spent on the usual wastes.

Jail him..

Sack him

This man wages are paid for by the taxpayer

Sack him so.

Probably to busy off spending his backhanders and brown envelopes

Not sure I agree with JMcGuinnessTD on this... Mr Watt is not an elected representative - but his boss is!

If it's a front...get him back...slimy geek

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