Robert Dowds (Dublin Mid West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I welcome Mr. Watt and his team before the committee. Before turning to my main questioning, may I also mention the issue of wards of court, because my understanding is the Comptroller and Auditor General cannot audit the money involved? There was a recommendation from the Committee of Public Accounts that the funds held in trust for wards of court and any funds held in trust by the proposed office of public guardian should be audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General and that legislative amendments to facilitate this should be brought forward by the Ministers for Finance and Justice and Equality. There is a certain urgency in this regard because new legislation is coming down the track. From what I am told, the money may not be well invested. This is a serious issue and it is important that it is tracked, in particular given the vulnerability of the people who ultimately would benefit. I would be grateful for the Secretary General's comment on that issue. If he is unable to comment directly, if possible he should send the committee a report when he is in a position to do so.