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

One will never find in the accounts for the school transport system an explanation for costs incurred or information on whether the system is profitable. I have looked at the accounts and could not find that information. On how Government money is spent and accounted for, I refer the Minister to the spending of taxpayers' money on the Galway project which was the subject of a "Prime Time" programme the other evening and the Tipperary hostel project. There are various Government agencies involved in the Tipperary hostel project - I do not expect the Minister to know about it - on which €6 million has been spent. When I inquire about it, I am told that the money was paid out and those involved are accountable for how it was spent. I invite the Minister to look at the place. No Department will take responsibility for the delivery of the project or how the €6 million spent could have been put to better use. We could exchange words all day, but there are significant examples of the State not taking control of expenditure it has incurred. There is significant proof, for example, that CIE in the case of its school transport service and many other agencies do not account for the spending of money, outside their audited accounts. I am speaking about allocations from local government, direct funding from the State or a Department. There is no comprehensive breakdown to show how money is being spent. I understand there was a committee that many years ago dealt with semi-State agencies. There are many bad examples in that regard.

On Horse Racing Ireland, representatives of which will appear before the relevant committee, the reforms provide for board members only to be paid a particular amount and only tjo serve a seven year term. Horse Racing Ireland is in breach of that provision.