Committee Reports > List of Committees > Dáil > 1971 > Committee of Public Accounts > Final Report - Northern Ireland Relief Expenditure

IMEACHTAI AN CHOISTE

Proceedings of the Committee

Déardaoin, 4 Feabhra, 1971.

Thursday, 4 February, 1971.

1. Chruinnigh an Coiste ar 11 a.m.

2. Comhaltaí i Láthair.

Bhí na comhaltaí seo a leanas i láthair:—

An Teachta Pádraig Ó hÓgáin (i gCeannas), na Teachtaí Baróid, Brioscú, R. de Búrca, E. Ó Coileáin, Mac Gearailt, A. Mac Giobúin, Céitinn, Mac Searraigh, Ó Nualláin, Ó Treasaigh agus Ó Tonnaigh.

3. Bhí E. P. Sutail (An tArd-Reachtaire Cuntas agus Ciste) i láthair i gcáil chomhairleach, agus S. Mac Gearailt ina theannta.

4. Ordaíodh: go dtabharfadh an Cathaoirleach an ráiteas seo a leanas uaidh sa Dáil:—

“Arising from statements made in the Dáil yesterday the Committee of Public Accounts has asked me with your indulgence to make the following statement:—

(1) The Dáil in referring to the Committee the examination of certain expenditure instructed the Committee to furnish a separate report on it as soon as possible.

(2) In order to comply with this instruction the Committee decided to proceed with the examination of witnesses with all expedition. In this connection, it was brought to their attention that the official reporting staff available was not adequate to report concurrent sittings of the Dáil and Seanad and of the Committee. In the circumstances the Committee conveyed to the House authorities their wish that arrangements should be made to provide adequate staff to enable the Committee to proceed with their business even if necessary by recruitment from outside the country, and that any necessary sanction for this course be sought from the Minister for Finance.

(3) The Committee understand that the Minister gave sanction for the employment of such staff as were necessary and that when it was not found possible to recruit the necessary staff in Ireland, arrangements were made at the instance of the Committee to secure the staff from a London agency.

(4) The Committee itself has no powers in relation to the engagement or conditions of employment of staff, including matters relating to the Official Secrets Act. These are matters, they understand, for the House authorities and for the Minister for Finance. The concern of the Committee is that they should be enabled to comply with the instructions of Dáil Éireann.”

5. Ordaíodh: nach gcuirfí ceisteanna ar fhinnéithe ach amháin ceisteanna ag fiafraí cad air ar caitheadh na suimeanna airgead as an Deontas-i-gCabhair, agus cé a d’údaraigh an caiteachas sin nó a d’aontaigh leis.

6. Chuaigh an Coiste i suí poiblí.

7. Finnéithe a Ceistíodh.

Cuireadh Ailbhe Luykx faoi mhionn agus ceistíodh é (agus an tUasal Gore-Grimes, Aturnae, ina theannta).

8. D’fhág A. Luykx an seomra.

9. Athlá.

Chuaigh an Coiste ar athló ar 2.15 p.m. go dtí 11 a.m. Dé Máirt seo chugainn.