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

IMEACHTAÍ AN CHOISTE

PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMITTEE

Dé Céadaoin, 21 Aibreán, 1971.

Wednesday, 21 April, 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, 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.

4. Chuaigh an Coiste i suí poiblí.

5. Finnéithe a Ceistíodh.

Cuireadh an Teachta Séamas Mac Giobúin, Aire Talmhaíochta agus Iascaigh, faoi mhionn agus ceistíodh é.

6. D’fhág An tAire Talmhaíochta agus lascaigh an seomra.

7. Chuaigh an Coiste i suí príobháideach.

8. Ordaíodh: go gcuirfí in iúl don Aire Talmhaíochta agus Iascaigh, ar atosú a chuid fianaise, go raibh sé i dteideal aighneacht a dhéanamh maidir le hábharthacht chun an Chathaoirligh agus go ndéanfadh an Cathaoirleach rialú ar an ábhar i ngach cás; agus i gcás ina gceadófaí ceist gur ar an bhfinné féin a bheadh a freagairt.

9. Chuaigh an Coiste i suí poiblí.

10. Finnéithe a Ceistíodh.

Athchromadh ar an Aire Talmhaíochta agus Iascaigh a cheistiú.

11. An Suí ar fionraí.

Cuireadh an suí ar fionraí ar 1 p.m. go dtí 4 p.m. inniu.

12. Chruinnigh an Coiste arís ar 4 p.m.

13. Ordaíodh: go nglacfaí leis an riail seo a leanas:—

“The fact that a witness may have given evidence elsewhere does not entitle him to decline to answer questions on the same issue put by members of the Committee.”

14. Ordaíodh: go ndéanfadh an Cathaoirleach an ráiteas seo a leanas ar athchromadh ar an Aire Talmhaíochta agus Iascaigh a cheistiú:

“The witness made a reference this morning to the party political affiliations of the members of the Committee then present.

I wish to state on behalf of the Committee that the individual members of the Committee were nominated to serve on it by the Committee of Selection and that they were so nominated as to six members representing the Government party and six members representing the Opposition parties.

It will be unavoidable from time to time that some members will not be present and that in consequence the proportions as between the parties will vary. Such unavoidable and temporary absences from time to time cannot be held to affect the impartiality of the Committee as constituted.

A recognition of the fact that it may not always be possible for all members of the Committee to be in attendance at any given time is indeed to be inferred from the Standing Order which prescribes that the quorum of the Committee is four, that is, that once four members are in attendance, it is in order for the Committee to proceed.

This is the basis on which the Public Accounts Committee has been constituted since the foundation of the State.

I should also say that I am satisfied that all members of this Committee have behaved with absolute impartiality and the Committee rejects any suggestion that in the performance of their duties members of the Committee have been influenced by party political considerations to show favour or prejudice vis-à-vis witnesses.”

15. Chuaigh an Coiste i suí poiblí.

16. Finnéithe a Ceistíodh.

Cuireadh An Teachta Niall Bléine faoi mhionn agus ceistíodh é (agus Seán Ó Muirí, B.L. ina theannta).

17. D’fhág an Teachta Bléine an seomra.

18. An Suí ar fionraí.

Cuireadh an suí ar fionraí ar 6 p.m. go dtí 7.30 p.m. inniu.

19. Chruinnigh an Coiste arís ar 7.30 p.m.

20. Chuaigh an Coiste i suí poiblí.

21. Finnéithe a Ceistíodh.

Athchromadh ar an Aire Talmhaíochta agus lascaigh a cheistiú.

22. An Suí ar Fionraí.

Cuireadh an suí ar fionraí ar 9 p.m. go dtí 9.15 p.m. inniu.

23. Chruinnigh an Coiste arís ar 9.15 p.m.

24. Chuaigh an Coiste i suí poiblí.

25. Finnéithe a Ceistíodh.

Athchromadh ar an Aire Talmhaíochta agus lascaigh a cheistiú.

26. D’fhág an tAire Talmhaíochta agus Iascaigh an seomra.

27. Athlá.

Chuaigh an Coiste ar athló ar 11.15 p.m. go dtí 11 a.m. amárach.