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

Before coming to the work programme I again bring to the attention of members the numbers of items of correspondence from individuals regarding the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, to which we have no direct access as a Committee of Public Accounts. The spending of money through that sector remains an unsatisfactory arrangement. I hope that in a future meeting - although not next week - we might get a briefing note of the work undertaken that reviewed the work being done by the Comptroller and Auditor General and the auditors in the sector to determine if there is a way of managing this so that the Committee of Public Accounts can have some sort of oversight or review of the various value for money audits undertaken or queries we receive. It is part of our work that should not be overlooked, as there is a substantial amount of money involved. Perhaps we can get a briefing note from the clerk and see how we can proceed.