An Garda Síochána reported just €3.1 million in contracts that broke procurement rules, only for State auditors to discover there were actually contracts worth more than €14 million.
A review found the original return was incomplete, with dozens of contracts omitted and suppliers missing from information provided by the force.
An Garda Síochána had initially reported 22 contracts that were both non-competitive and non-compliant with public procurement rules.
However, when the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG) checked the return, additional suppliers were identified.
A revised list submitted by An Garda Síochána contained 65 contracts worth €14.2 million that were non-compliant and non-competitive.
The C&AG warned incomplete reporting created a risk that inaccurate updates could be given to the Public Accounts Committee and potentially mislead its members.
The audit classified the issue as “high” risk and said management needed to...
