Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will begin with transport and the Chairman is right that some of the funding available, principally to the CIE group, via subvention might not be the study of Comptroller and Auditor and General but it is subject to Oireachtas scrutiny through the transport committee. When I was Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I appeared before the committee regularly to discuss subvention and the services being delivered. I had to answer questions on many occasions on services the public expected to see delivered and the level of subvention paid for them. This mechanism certainly was available.

With regard to State boards and their accountability to the Oireachtas, my understanding is the chairman of Horse Racing Ireland will appear before the relevant Oireachtas committee to answer questions on the matter and the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine appeared before the committee on Tuesday evening and answered questions on the issue. As a matter of course, I expect those chairing important State boards to appear before the relevant Oireachtas committee. It is the case in the areas of transport, tourism and sport and the bodies for which I have responsibility appear before the Oireachtas committee.