THE secretary of the Department of the Marine has apologised publicly for "naive" expenditure of £36,000 on unsuitable computer software that has never been used.
Lack of information technology (IT) skills had contributed to a mistaken decision to purchase the system, Mr Tom Carroll told yesterday's hearing of the Dail Committee of Public Accounts.
Questioned on a range of issues relating to the Comptroller and Auditor General's report, Mr Carroll also confirmed that "unusually high" levels of mercury and tributytlin (TBT) had been found in Bantry Harbour, Co Cork.
Replying to questions from Mr John Ellis TD (FF, Sligo Leitrim), Mr Carroll said his Department had "piggy backed" on a system recommended by the Department of Finance. "We regret it and we apologise," he said. The Department now had only two people with IT skills, and suffered from staff shortages. The new Harbours Act would add to staffing pressures, he said.
Mr Pat Upton TD (Lab, Dublin South Central) said there had to be a sense of perspective. The committee could descend to putting civil servants on trial over "the waste of a paper clip".
The Department secretary said high levels of mercury and TBT identified in Bantry had precluded expenditure on dredging work there. If dumped at sea, the dredged sediment could harm fish and shellfish. There was no danger to human health, he said. It was very localised and the cause was being investigated.
