NO NEED TO SAY TSARRY

Minister backs his housing advisor. Official 'doubted' if role was required

- LOUISE BURNE

HOUSING Minister James Browne has defended his Secretary General after he suggested there was no need for the controversial housing tsar.

It came just hours after Public Expenditure Minister Jack Chambers said all Secretaries General must implement Government policy.

Department of Housing Secretary General Graham Doyle said he did not see the need for a “housing tsar” for a Housing Activation Office.

The role was plunged into controversy after NAMA boss Brendan McDonagh pulled out of the race following ongoing discussion about his €430,000 salary.

The Business Post reported Mr Doyle said: “We don't need a tsar to do all of that. And we never, ever used the word tsar.”