TBCT says actions have already been taken to improve systems

Mr McLaughlin, who is seconded from the Dublin post for 15 months, responded by referring the paper to the statement prepared by TBCT.

The organisations involved were the TBCT, who this morning are meeting to discuss the ramifications of the audit. In a ‘holding statement’ from the TBCT to be released to the press this morning, but obtained by the Sentinel on Monday night it is stated: “The Board of TBCT welcomes the Report of the Internal Audit section of Dublin City Council. The City Manager as the Shareholder after due consideration and with the support of the Board commissioned this report in June 2012 and the audit team studied the activities of the Company in 2011.

“The report is detailed and rigorous and in keeping with the standards laid down in the management and Governance of public assets and finance.

“Although the report and its recommendations are have raised issues for the Board, the sixty recommendations contained within have already been implemented or are well in hand. The Board is also satisfied that TBCT now operates under Financial Procedures recently introduced to conform to the highest standards.

“As to the management practices and methods of financial control highlighted in the report and on which the recommendations are based; these historical matters are now under review and after due consideration and advice the Board will decide how these matters are to be addressed.

“The Board wishes to thank the staff of TBCT for their co-operation and hard work in the implementation of these recommendations and wishes to express its appreciation of the work of the Internal Audit Committee of Dublin City Council on behalf of the public.”

The Sentinel has also obtained a copy of TBCT’s Finance Team’s response to the Internal Audit in which it is stated that they “have accepted and completed 92% of these recommendations,” and that “We have accepted and commenced implementation of 8%.”

The Finance Committee of TBCT accepted 46 of the recommendations and requested wording changes to 10 of them.

A line in the statement also reads: “We would like to further assert that following thorough investigation and examination, we have no evidence of any misappropriation of TBCT’s funds. Furthermore our auditors have asserted that the Financial statements will remain unchanged with no adjustments.”

When asked for his personal response to the issue, Dermot McLaughlin referred the Sentinel to the TBCT statement above.

The Sentinel also asked Derry City Council for comments regarding the secondment of Dermot McLaughlin from TBCT to Project Director of UK City of Culture 2013. In response we received the following: “A spokesperson for Derry City Council said it is not in a position to comment on issues relating to Mr. McLaughlin’s previous employment.”