Committee Reports > List of Committees > Dáil > 1994 > Committee of Public Accounts > Interim Report No. 02 - Appropriation Accounts 1993

DÉARDAOIN 24 SAMHAIN 1994

THURSDAY 24 NOVEMBER 1994

1. The Committee met at 11.00am.

2. Members Present:-

Deputies J.Mitchell (in the Chair), Broughan, Byrne, Doherty, Foley, Mc Cormack, B.O’Keeffe, O’Malley, Rabbitte, Upton.

3. The Committee went into private session.

The Committee deliberated.

4. Draft Annual Report of the Committee of Public Accounts.

The Chairman brought forward the Draft Annual Report for consideration.

(i) Paragraph 1.

Amendment proposed, (Chairman).

To delete Paragraph 1 and to insert the following:-

“BACKGROUND

1. The Committee of Public Accounts was set up under the Excheqer and Audit Department Act 1866. When the Irish Free State came into existence in 1922 it continued the pre-existing Government accounting conventions and accordingly an Irish Committee of Public Accounts was established similar in its size and its remit to that of the British House of Commons Committee. It has been an important feature of Dáil Éireann since then.

The Committee consists of 12 Members and the Chairperson has traditionally been elected from the main opposition party. A list of Chairpersons is published in the Appendix hereto.

This Report covers the Committee’s investigation into the Annual Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General on the 1992 Appropriation Accounts and other matters. The Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General was tabled in accordance with the relevant legislation at the end of October 1993. The Committee commenced its examination in November 1993 and completed them in October 1994.

During the period under review the Committee held twenty nine meetings. Twenty seven Accounting Officers covering forty three Votes were examined and twelve special issues were dealt with.”

Amendment agreed to.

Paragraph 1, as amended, agreed to.

(ii) Paragraphs 2 to 7 inclusive agreed to.

(iii) Paragraph 8.1.

Amendment proposed (Chairman).

After the word “funds” to insert “and which was almost twice the proposed State investment in the full project.”

and

After the words “control exercised by” to delete the words “the bodies mentioned” and to insert “SFADCO and the other bodies mentioned, in particular the Department of Transport, Tourism and Communications.”

Amendment agreed to.

Paragraph as amended, agreed to.

(iv) Paragraph 8.2.

Amendment proposed (Chairman).

After the word “provided” to insert “and that each application be assesed against other applications on hand and the priorities decided.”

Amendment agreed to.

Paragraph as amended, agreed to.

(v) Paragraph 8.3.

Amendment proposed (Chairman).

After the words “State vets” to insert “as distinct from farmers’ own vets.”

Amendment agreed to.

Paragraph as amended, agreed to.

(vi) Paragraphs 8.4 to 13 inclusive agreed to.

(vii) Amendment proposed (Chairman).

To add Appendix “List of Chairpersons of Committee of Public Accounts.”

Amendment agreed to.

Appendix as amended, agreed to.

Draft Annual Report agreed to.

Ordered: To report to the Dáil accordingly.

5. Consideration of Appropriation Accounts 1993.

Consideration of Appropriation Accounts for the year 1993 was resumed. The following Account was adjourned:-

Office of the Revenue Commissioners.

6. Witnesses Examined:-

Mr.C.Mac Domhnaill (Chairman, Office of the Revenue Commissioners), The Comptroller and Auditor General.

7. Adjournment.

The Committee adjourned at 1.25pm until 11am on Thursday 1 December 1994.