Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I will ask the Comptroller and Auditor General, not necessarily in time for next week, to write a note on how fixed assets are recorded in the different groups of organisations, whether they are appropriation accounts, semi-state bodies or different bodies. Most of them say that assets are recorded at historical costs, notwithstanding the revaluation of certain fixed assets which are normally identified. In the accounting policies of most organisations, before you get to the figures, there is a detailed section saying how they revalued the assets, and it must be ensured that that is consistent. I would like Mr. McCarthy to put together a document on it, and we will come back to that document. It will be useful, because there are obvious questions. If, for example, one went to local authorities and asked the same question, they might ask if they are to put a value on the road network through our county, and question what constitutes a State asset. I would like the witness to prepare a note on that issue across the different groups. When we receive this, Deputy MacSharry, we will discuss it in detail. Importantly, I would like the document to specify where legislation specifies to do something which would not be normal accounting practice. I know that in the HSE, for example, assets do not accrue for the outstanding claims in the HSE accounts, because the Minister has legislated against this. Where there is some specific ministerial or legislative exceptions to normal practice, I would like the witness to tell us that as well.