1.The Committee met at 11.15 a.m.

2.Members Present:- John Perry (in the Chair), Dan Boyle, Paul Connaughton, John Dennehy, Seán Fleming, Joe Higgins, John McGuinness, Michael Noonan.

3.The Committee went into private session.

The Committee deliberated.

The Committee went into public session.

4.Consideration of Appropriation Accounts 2003.

Consideration of Appropriation Accounts for the year 2003. The following Account was disposed of:-

Vote 16 — Civil Service Commission

The following Chapter was disposed of:-

Civil Service Commission:

Chapter 5.1 — Accounting Shortcomings

Consideration of Appropriation Accounts 2003.

Consideration of Appropriation Accounts for the year 2003. The following Account was disposed of:-

Vote 17 — Office of the Ombudsman

The following Chapter was disposed of:-

Office of the Ombudsman:

Chapter 6.1 — Accounting Shortcomings

5.Witnesses Examined:-

Mr. Bryan Andrews (Chief Executive, Civil Service Commission), Mr. Patrick Whelan (Director General, Office of the Ombudsman), Mr. Philip Hamell (Director, Department of Finance), Mr. David Hurley (Principal Officer, Department of Finance), Mr. John Purcell (Comptroller and Auditor General).

6.Adjournment.

The Committee adjourned at 2.00 p.m., until 11.00 a.m. on Thursday 14 October 2004.