Mr. Seamus McCarthy:

It is Standing Orders which prohibit the committee addressing State-sponsored bodies. I am not their auditor. The legislation to which Deputy Fleming refers is legislation appointing me as the auditor of State bodies. I am specifically precluded from carrying out audits, examinations or inspections of commercial State-sponsored bodies. Standing Orders dictate the scope of the committee's remit. When the Standing Orders were made they were regarded as being consistent with the legislation providing for the functions of the Comptroller and Auditor General. However, they are two different things.