Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Accounting Officer is here today, who is the Secretary General of the Department of Justice and Equality, as well as the Acting Garda Commissioner. No other Accounting Officers are involved. It is the role of the Accounting Officer to give an answer to the particular question that has been asked. The two Accounting Officers have answered. The only Accounting Officer who has not answered the question is the one for the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform because the official is not here. The Department gave written sanction.

We are here today specifically to discuss the one issue of finances. We are only dealing with the 2016 audited expenditure to date. We have had an answer from the Accounting Officer of the Department of Justice and Equality. We have had an answer from the acting Garda Commissioner. As Chairman, I can say that we have got answers from the two people who are accountable to this committee here today, and I have to rule on that.