Fianna Fáil Agriculture Spokesperson Charlie McConalogue says Minister Michael Creed must suspend any funding stream from his Department to the Animal Heaven Animal Rescue charity in Kerry, while an investigation into its funding model is carried out.
An RTE investigation revealed poor corporate governance and financial management at the charity.
Deputy McConalogue commented, “The details in last night’s report were deeply troubling. It’s not acceptable for taxpayers’ money to be paid out to organisations who fail to adhere to corporate governance rules.
“I’m calling on the Agriculture Minister Michael Creed to initiate an investigation into the situation at AHAR. Any current funding stream from the Government should be halted until this investigation is complete and the charity is found to be fully compliant with the 2009 Charities Act.
“We must learn from the mistakes of the past. Controversies at Rehab and Console marred the charity sector and made the public sceptical handing over money to them. The Government has a duty to ensure that taxpayers’ money is properly accounted for and that a paper trail of spending is kept. It is not good enough that certain charities flout these regulations and it raises questions as to how this has happened again”.
