Committee Reports > List of Committees > Dáil > 1936 > Committee of Public Accounts > Interim and Final Report - Appropriation Accounts 1934 - 1935

APPENDIX II.

MINUTE OF THE MINISTER FOR FINANCE ON THE REPORT DATED 12th MARCH, 1936, OF THE COMMITTEE OF PUBLIC ACCOUNTS.

Paragraphs 5, 8 and 10 (a).

These paragraphs contain nothing that appears to require comment on the part of the Minister.

GÁRDA SÍOCHÁNA.

Paragraph 1.—Motor cars transferred from the Army to the Gárda Síochána.

The Minister notes the views of the Committee. The position has now been clarified by the insertion of an appropriate footnote to sub-head H of the Estimate for the Gárda Síochána for the current financial year.

AGRICULTURE.

Paragraph 2.—Excess incurred on Grant-in-Aid to Irish Agricultural Organisation Society.

The Minister agrees that Virement cannot be used in such a way as to increase the provision in a vote which is not liable to be surrendered to the Exchequer and has accordingly introduced, as recommended by the Committee, a Supplementary Estimate to cover the excess amount paid to the I.A.O.S.

PRIMARY EDUCATION.

Paragraph 3.—Case of Teacher convicted by the Constitution (Special Powers) Tribunal under Article 2a of the Constitution —Legislation to validate payments.

The question of promoting the legislation referred to in the Minute of the Minister dated 6th July, 1935, has received further consideration. Recent advice received from the Attorney-General indicates that there are the gravest legal doubts as to the practicability of promoting any legislation which would be aimed at amending the Constitution retrospectively. Subject to the views of the Committee, which the Minister will await, it is now proposed to introduce a Supplementary Estimate to regularise the payments made to the teacher concerned prior to the date of the free pardon.

PUBLIC WORKS AND BUILDINGS.

Paragraph 4.—Nugatory expenditure incurred in connection with proposed erection of a new Training College at Galway and a Preparatory College in County Galway.

The Minister has drawn the attention of the Department of Education and the Office of Public Works to the Committee’s observations and has impressed on both Departments that all possible steps should be taken to obviate the recurrence of nugatory expenditure in circumstances such as those which obtained in the cases in question.

ARMY.

Paragraph 6.—Sending of privately-owned horses abroad to participate in international competitions.

The following Defence Force Regulation was promulgated on the 13th June, 1935, and came into force on that date:—

“It is forbidden for an officer detailed as a member of, or accompanying, an Army Team competing at a Show outside An Saorstát to bring, or cause to be brought, to the country or countries in which the team is competing, or about to compete, any privately-owned horse.”

Paragraph 7.—Regulations governing payment of allowances to officers on marriage.

It appears to the Minister that the major issue in the case referred to relates to the legal question of the power of the Minister for Defence, in determining that an officer is a “married” officer for the purposes of the Regulations, to give his decision effect retrospectively to the actual date of marriage. The Department of Defence have, accordingly, been requested to seek the advice of the Attorney-General and to submit for the further consideration of the Minister for Finance, in the light of the legal opinion received, the question whether the Regulations need amendment or clarification.

Paragraph 9.—Losses to Public Funds arising from fraud—Particulars to be appended to Appropriation Account.

The Minister concurs in the view that information as to losses to Public Funds of the nature referred to should be included in the Appropriation Account, and he has informed the Department of Defence accordingly.

Paragraph 10 (b).—Purchase of materials for Signal Corps.

The Minister concurs in the view of the Committee and he has asked the Department of Defence to state what steps have been taken to prevent unnecessary purchases of the kind mentioned.

Paragraph 11.—Clothing and equipment issued for use of members of the Volunteer Forces—System of control.

The Department of Defence have been requested to examine the position in the light of the Committee’s comments, with a view to seeing whether a more effective system of control can be devised.

ARMY PENSIONS.

Paragraph 12.—Powers conferred by Army Pensions Acts with regard to reassessment of degree of disablement.

Since the pension referred to was granted no similar case has occurred and the Minister understands that it is unlikely that any similar case will arise in the future. The Department of Defence have been instructed, should such a case in fact arise, to submit it to the Attorney-General for consideration as to whether the case is a suitable one on which to seek a ruling from the court and for his advice as to the necessary steps to be taken.

LAW CHARGES.

Paragraph 13.—Application of certain savings resulting from the operation of the Public Services (Temporary Economies) Act, 1933.

The Minister has noted the recommendation of the Committee that the covering sanction of the Oireachtas should be obtained for the expenditure of certain savings accruing from deductions made under the Public Services (Temporary Economies) Act. The necessary steps to this end are being taken.