Ms Niamh Larkin:

After we finish our audits each year, we compile an overview report that examines all 31 local authorities and considers a number of issues that span the majority of them. One risk area is something that Senator Boyhan referred to, namely, fixed assets. We examine the value of those assets as well as the value of loans. A large volume of loans are on an interest-only basis. We also examine matters such as unfunded capital balances in each local authority and ensure that sources of funding are identified for those. In each year in the overview report, we pull together the main themes and risk areas for local authorities.