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Albert Dolan TD

@albertdolan_ • 4,964 subscribers

Fianna Fáil TD for Galway East

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One year ago today, I launched the first version of our public spending tracker. Today, I’m launching the next version: which covers over 108 billion euro in spend. The purpose is simple: help the State see more clearly where public money is going, use that information better, and get stronger outcomes for taxpayers. The State is one of the biggest buyers in the country. We should use that scale to negotiate better, spend better and deliver better. Every contract should start with the same principle: this is public money, and it must be used for public good. We’ve made real progress, but the next step is bigger: connecting spending to contracts, delivery and outcomes through the Golden Thread: 𝐓𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 → 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 → 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭 → 𝐏𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐎𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫 → 𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞 → 𝐏𝐚𝐲𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 → 𝐎𝐮𝐭𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 Explore and read my latest Substack on what comes next.

One year ago today, I launched the first version of our public spending tracker. Today, I’m launching the next version: which covers over 108 billion euro in spend. The purpose is simple: help the State see more clearly where public money is going, use that information better, and get stronger outcomes for taxpayers. The State is one of the biggest buyers in the country. We should use that scale to negotiate better, spend better and deliver better. Every contract should start with the same principle: this is public money, and it must be used for public good. We’ve made real progress, but the next step is bigger: connecting spending to contracts, delivery and outcomes through the Golden Thread: 𝐓𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 → 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 → 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭 → 𝐏𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐎𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫 → 𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞 → 𝐏𝐚𝐲𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 → 𝐎𝐮𝐭𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 Explore and read my latest Substack on what comes next.

Albert Dolan TD

28,673 views • 7 days ago

RTÉ confirmed that 41 staff travelled to Czechia for one World Cup qualifier at a total cost of €57,000. At the same time, just six people were sent to cover the World Cup itself. RTÉ says the two productions were very different, that staff worked across television and radio, and that commercial revenue more than covered the cost. The main focus of my line of questioning was to establish whether RTÉ really needed to send 41 staff to cover a single match. Read my op ed from the weekend on my view on RTÉ's future below (1/2)

RTÉ confirmed that 41 staff travelled to Czechia for one World Cup qualifier at a total cost of €57,000. At the same time, just six people were sent to cover the World Cup itself. RTÉ says the two productions were very different, that staff worked across television and radio, and that commercial revenue more than covered the cost. The main focus of my line of questioning was to establish whether RTÉ really needed to send 41 staff to cover a single match. Read my op ed from the weekend on my view on RTÉ's future below (1/2)

Albert Dolan TD

244,592 views • 2 months ago

Today I’ve launched the largest purchase order/payment tracking system in the state. Covering €78.5 billion worth of spend. Click the link below and let me know what you think.

Today I’ve launched the largest purchase order/payment tracking system in the state. Covering €78.5 billion worth of spend. Click the link below and let me know what you think.

Albert Dolan TD

339,309 views • 1 year ago

The Minister is facing legal action over a crackdown on IPAS contracts.

The Minister is facing legal action over a crackdown on IPAS contracts.

Albert Dolan TD

123,112 views • 11 months ago

Up for the Match is successful and popular programmes. So when RTÉ decided to outsource it at a higher cost, I had to ask: I asked how is this consistent with good financial management? RTÉ argued that the move was driven by a more ambitious production, broadcasting from Croke Park, together with staff availability during a busy sporting summer. Creative decisions are important, but when public money is involved, they also have to represent good value for licence fee payers. Read my op ed from the weekend on my view on RTÉ's future (1/2)

Up for the Match is successful and popular programmes. So when RTÉ decided to outsource it at a higher cost, I had to ask: I asked how is this consistent with good financial management? RTÉ argued that the move was driven by a more ambitious production, broadcasting from Croke Park, together with staff availability during a busy sporting summer. Creative decisions are important, but when public money is involved, they also have to represent good value for licence fee payers. Read my op ed from the weekend on my view on RTÉ's future (1/2)

Albert Dolan TD

32,389 views • 2 months ago

We’re now working on Public Spend Tracker 2.0, designed to be more user-friendly and easier to navigate. The goal is to create a “golden thread” across public spending: linking procurement, contracts, tenders, awards and payments so that any payment can be traced back to the original contract. That level of transparency is where real insight comes from. The ambition is simple: if the State spends over €100bn a year, improving outcomes by even 1% would make a real difference to people’s lives. I also wrote about a new way to think about public spending and accountability. Read here: Link to Current Tracker:

We’re now working on Public Spend Tracker 2.0, designed to be more user-friendly and easier to navigate. The goal is to create a “golden thread” across public spending: linking procurement, contracts, tenders, awards and payments so that any payment can be traced back to the original contract. That level of transparency is where real insight comes from. The ambition is simple: if the State spends over €100bn a year, improving outcomes by even 1% would make a real difference to people’s lives. I also wrote about a new way to think about public spending and accountability. Read here: Link to Current Tracker:

Albert Dolan TD

36,456 views • 5 months ago

One in three HSE staff haven’t filed their SIPO declarations. That means officials with spending or procurement power haven’t declared potential conflicts of interest despite being required to do so. (1/2)

One in three HSE staff haven’t filed their SIPO declarations. That means officials with spending or procurement power haven’t declared potential conflicts of interest despite being required to do so. (1/2)

Albert Dolan TD

65,244 views • 11 months ago

See my questioning below as I try to understand the sharp rise in asylum claims, where people are entering the country, and why we need a system that is fair, firm, and functional . One that actually serves those fleeing horrific situations.

See my questioning below as I try to understand the sharp rise in asylum claims, where people are entering the country, and why we need a system that is fair, firm, and functional . One that actually serves those fleeing horrific situations.

Albert Dolan TD

64,397 views • 11 months ago

An adult commuting from Athenry to Galway City can pay almost double what a commuter in Dublin pays for a similar rail journey. That simply is not fair. Right now: Athenry → Galway (~20 mins): approx. €5.10 each way Clonsilla → Connolly (~28 mins): approx. €2.60 each way As Galway continues to grow, rail is becoming a critical commuter service for workers and students travelling into the city every day. I raised this in the Dáil and asked whether Galway commuters could be included under the Leap Card commuter fare structure to provide fairer and more affordable fares. The Tánaiste acknowledged the issue and confirmed he will raise it with the Minister for Transport and Irish Rail. Public transport needs to work for people across the entire country not just Dublin.

An adult commuting from Athenry to Galway City can pay almost double what a commuter in Dublin pays for a similar rail journey. That simply is not fair. Right now: Athenry → Galway (~20 mins): approx. €5.10 each way Clonsilla → Connolly (~28 mins): approx. €2.60 each way As Galway continues to grow, rail is becoming a critical commuter service for workers and students travelling into the city every day. I raised this in the Dáil and asked whether Galway commuters could be included under the Leap Card commuter fare structure to provide fairer and more affordable fares. The Tánaiste acknowledged the issue and confirmed he will raise it with the Minister for Transport and Irish Rail. Public transport needs to work for people across the entire country not just Dublin.

Albert Dolan TD

28,857 views • 4 months ago

Some good news on transparency 🧾 After sustained pressure and questioning, 3 major public bodies: The Children’s Hospital, TII, and the HSE are now publishing key spending data. For the first time, billions in public spending is now visible and open to scrutiny. (1/3)

Some good news on transparency 🧾 After sustained pressure and questioning, 3 major public bodies: The Children’s Hospital, TII, and the HSE are now publishing key spending data. For the first time, billions in public spending is now visible and open to scrutiny. (1/3)

Albert Dolan TD

54,287 views • 10 months ago

In just two years, my generation went from call-and-text phones to full-blown social media saturation. That shift reshaped how teenagers in Ireland connect, learn, and grow and we haven’t kept pace. (1/3)

In just two years, my generation went from call-and-text phones to full-blown social media saturation. That shift reshaped how teenagers in Ireland connect, learn, and grow and we haven’t kept pace. (1/3)

Albert Dolan TD

46,708 views • 10 months ago

The 8 year deemed disposal rule is unfair and has to go

The 8 year deemed disposal rule is unfair and has to go

Albert Dolan TD

35,192 views • 7 months ago

When a CEO overclaims nearly €8,000 in expenses and only repays €1,000, basic questions need answers. 📷 No written approval for a change of base. 📷 No plan to recoup the remaining €6,900. 📷 New policies now in place, but why wasn’t this stopped earlier? Watch the exchange.

When a CEO overclaims nearly €8,000 in expenses and only repays €1,000, basic questions need answers. 📷 No written approval for a change of base. 📷 No plan to recoup the remaining €6,900. 📷 New policies now in place, but why wasn’t this stopped earlier? Watch the exchange.

Albert Dolan TD

43,503 views • 10 months ago

Over €1 billion in HSE spending is now visible for Q4 2025 alone. For the first time ever, the HSE has published purchase orders/payments above €20,000, down from the previous threshold of €100,000. (1/4)

Over €1 billion in HSE spending is now visible for Q4 2025 alone. For the first time ever, the HSE has published purchase orders/payments above €20,000, down from the previous threshold of €100,000. (1/4)

Albert Dolan TD

22,444 views • 5 months ago

I asked a series of questions about how funding of section 38 hospitals works in practice. What came through clearly is this: (1/8)

I asked a series of questions about how funding of section 38 hospitals works in practice. What came through clearly is this: (1/8)

Albert Dolan TD

19,469 views • 5 months ago

Taking transparency of public spend to the next level and why we did it?

Taking transparency of public spend to the next level and why we did it?

Albert Dolan TD

34,794 views • 1 year ago

Want to hear my thoughts on Public Spending? Listen back here to my interview with Claire Byrne NewstalkFM Dan O'Brien I also wrote about a new way to think about public spending and accountability. Read here: Link to Current Tracker:

Want to hear my thoughts on Public Spending? Listen back here to my interview with Claire Byrne NewstalkFM Dan O'Brien I also wrote about a new way to think about public spending and accountability. Read here: Link to Current Tracker:

Albert Dolan TD

10,295 views • 4 months ago

I questioned the effectiveness of TB eradication, with €100m spent in 2024 and costs rising to over €120m + in 2025. Despite the scale of spending, the Department could not point to a single dominant cause instead (1/3)

I questioned the effectiveness of TB eradication, with €100m spent in 2024 and costs rising to over €120m + in 2025. Despite the scale of spending, the Department could not point to a single dominant cause instead (1/3)

Albert Dolan TD

12,567 views • 8 months ago

You Can’t Trust What You Can’t See, That’s Why I’m Doing This Work. Transparency is the foundation for trust in public spending. (1/4)

You Can’t Trust What You Can’t See, That’s Why I’m Doing This Work. Transparency is the foundation for trust in public spending. (1/4)

Albert Dolan TD

14,982 views • 10 months ago

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