RETIRING COMPTROLLER and Auditor General John Purcell has been described as "fearless and forensic" as well as totally impartial in his approach to the job.
Paying tribute to Mr Purcell, whose impending retirement was announced yesterday, chairman of the Dáil Committee of Public Accounts (PAC), Bernard Allen TD said: "I have worked with him since I became chairman of the PAC last October. He has been a most helpful and supportive person to me in my new role.
"But aside from that at all, he has shown over the years that he is both fearless and forensic in his analysis of public spending by Government departments. He has called it as he has seen it, and in a totally apolitical manner."
A statement from Áras an Uachtaráin said President Mary McAleese, on the advice of the Government, had accepted the resignation of Mr Purcell, who was retiring with effect from May 14th.
He took up the job in 1994 at the age of 47. The comptroller is appointed by the President on the nomination of the Dáil to audit and report on the accounts, transactions, financial controls and administration of public bodies. All his reports are examined on behalf of the Dáil by the Pac.
The comptroller's staff compiled the report which provided the basis for the Pac to launch its investigation into the Dirt tax scandal. They also investigated the overspends on the Ppars project in the health services and on the roads infrastructure.
