Rehab scandal – 'Arrogant and dismissive' Flannery must appear before Public Accounts Committee

» Mark Moloney

"Rehab has a track record of telling the Irish public, politicians, their donors, their volunteers and staff and service users to 'mind their own business' when it comes issues around to top executives pay." - Mary Lou McDonald

MARY LOU McDonald TD has told An Phoblacht that Rehab CEO and former Fine Gael strategist Frank Flannery should come before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) voluntarily "if he cares about Rehab, rebuilding confidence in the charitable sector and the people who rely on the services of Rehab."

Flannery, a former CEO of the Rehab Group and a serving member of the board, has come under pressure in recent days after the Irish Times reported that he was paid thousands of euro by Rehab to lobby the Government in 2011 and 2012.

Speaking to An Phoblacht on Monday, Sinn Féin's Mary Lou McDonald said that she hopes Flannery (who she described as 'arrogant and dismissive') will come before the PAC voluntarily but said the committee can use its powers to compel him to attend if required:

"Rehab has a track record of telling the Irish public, politicians, their donors, their volunteers and staff and service users to 'mind their own business' when it comes issues around to top executives pay."

She says such a position is "ridiculous and nonsensical" considering that Rehab received in excess of €83million of taxpayers money last year alone.