An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar during the first meeting of the Government Security Committee at Government Buildings

TAOISEACH Leo Varadkar has questioned two key findings of the Public Accounts Committee's report on serious financial irregularities at the Garda Training College in Templemore.

And Mr Varadkar reiterated his full confidence in Garda Commissioner Nóirín O'Sullivan, whose handling of the issues at the College has been criticised by members of the PAC.

The commitee found that there was grounds for Ms O'Sullivan to make what's known as a "Section 41" disclosure to the justice minister - then Tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald - in July 2015, when the Commissioner says she first learned the details of concerns over finances at Templemore.

The committee also found that it was "unacceptable" that Ms O'Sullivan as accounting officer for An Garda Síochána didn't inform state spending watchdog, the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG) of the issues at the College as soon as they came to her attention.

Expand Close Francis Fitzgerald Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar and Paschal Donohoe TD during the first meeting of the Government Security Committee at Government Buildings Collins Dublin, Gareth Chaney / Facebook

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Whatsapp Francis Fitzgerald Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar and Paschal Donohoe TD during the first meeting of the Government Security Committee at Government Buildings

It would be a further ten months before the C&AG was told of the concerns over finances there.

The PAC report notes that the C&AG "stated that he would expect to be informed of any significant concerns at the earliest opportunity, even with partial information, so that he could decide if further action was warranted."

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Mr Varadkar said he hasn't read the full report yet but has read the findings, which he said will have to be taken into account.

However, he questioned two of the findings when asked if he disagreed with the PAC's views in relation to the Section 41 disclosure and the delay in informing the C&AG.

Mr Varadkar said: "What’s also important to bear in mind is that ultimately it is the judgement of the Garda Commissioner to decide whether or not the minister and the C&AG should be informed and at what point."

Expand Close Rlevant Cabinet members and senior security staff is briefed on the current security situation Collins Dublin, Gareth Chaney / Facebook

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"An explanation she’s given and holds to to date is that she wanted to get all the facts ready before doing so. But like I say it’s her judgement, not somebody else’s," Mr Varadkar added.

Mr Varadkar also said: "It remains my position that the government has confidence in the Garda Commissioner and is behind the job she’s trying to do."

Asked if this was full confidence, he replied: "Yes".

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Mr Varadkar was speaking after attending the first meeting of the government's new 'Cobra-style' security committee which has been set up to prepare for the risk of terror attacks.

The meeting was attended by Ms O'Sullivan who is set to take five weeks holiday.

The Commissioner's decision to take her break now, in the immediate aftermath of the publication of the PAC report, has been criticised by some opposition TDs.

Mr Varadkar was asked if it was appropriate for Ms O'Sullivan to take her holiday at this time.

He replied: "I’ve lots of responsibilities as Taoiseach. I take them very seriously but regulating any individual’s annual leave isn’t one of them. If people are entitled to annual leave, they’re entitled to take it."

Mr Varadkar said the risk from terrorism remains "low to moderate" but he said: "The security threats do include dissident republicans, organised religious extremists, lone wolves and of course cyber attacks."

"You have to be conscious of the fact that in the past year there have been terrorist attacks in places not so far away like Manchester, like London, Paris, Nice and Germany for example so we do need to be prepared."

He referred to last Friday's Garda training exercise which simulated a terror attack in Dublin Docklands and said planning has begun for similar exercises that will also include the Defence Forces, Ambulance Service and Fire Brigade.

He said these would initially virtual simulations, but that live exercises will follow.

Mr Varadkar said the new committee will meet "as needed" in the case of any terror incident, though he stressed that an attack isn't expected.

He said it will assemble again in the autumn regardless to discuss terror prevention measures.

Other ministers present included Tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald, justice minister Charlie Flanagan and junior defence minister Paul Kehoe.

There were also senior representatives from the Defence Forces and ten secretaries general from government departments.

The committee will be similar to the British government's 'Cobra' group.

Its name comes from the Cabinet Office Briefing Room A (Cobra) in the government buildings in London's Whitehall.

The Irish Committee will be called Cabinet Committee F.

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