John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

On the work programme, the committee received a report on the Health and Safety Authority some months ago. I believe we should put it down as a specific item in respect of the Department itself in order that we can deal with the expenditure, the questions raised and the attitude of the Department to that expenditure. It is important not to lose sight of it.

The second item that concerns me is the school transport system and the number of complaints I receive regarding that system and the cost thereof. I note the recent allocation by the Government to Bus Éireann of €32 million. How do we audit the actual expenditure of those funds as distinct from their allocation from the Department to Bus Éireann. How do we know for what it is being spent? In other words, have the accounts of either Bus Éireann or Iarnród Éireann been examined to the extent that the waste and so on has been removed and there is a need for this money or are we simply giving the aforementioned companies the money? Who accounts for it and how does it come before this committee?