Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Cullinane for his contribution. I do not disagree with anything he said. I served my time under our Chairman and, as we say at home, "he learned me well" during my time on the Committee of Public Accounts.

From a technical point of view the chief executive officer will be the Accounting Officer as is the position in every other State body. Section 17 of the National Shared Services Bill 2016 provides that the CEO is accountable to the Oireachtas through the Committee of Public Accounts, because it will be subjected to audit.

I agree with everything Deputy Cullinane said; he is correct. While the amendment is well meaning, I will not be accepting it because the points he made have been captured in the Bill already. I do not disagree with any of the points he has made.