Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We will recirculate that information because it is a while since this issue was up for discussion. If anyone wants further detail on it, we will provide it.

The next issue in our periodic report is the President's Establishment in respect of which the committee made a recommendation on the audit committee that did not meet. The Minister for Finance has stated that the recommendation is accepted and the audit committee is now up and running. The next recommendation - which is a key recommendation - is in regard to there being no statutory audit of the €317,000 residential allowance paid from the Central Fund, which is granted to the Presidential Establishment under statutory instrument. The Minister for Finance notes the recommendation that relates to non-voted expenditure from the Central Fund is administered by his Department and does not require Dáil approval. The Minister has further informed the committee that while the allowance for the President's Establishment is established the principle of paying an allowance from non-voted central funds is established in the Presidential Establishment Act 1938 and any amendment would require a change to primary legislation. It is not for the Committee of Public Accounts to draft legislation but it is open to any Oireachtas Member to draft a Private Members' Bill to deal with the issue. This committee has taken this as far as it can. We are now in a situation whereby legislation is the issue. It is a legislative matter for the Oireachtas. Members can choose to follow it up if they so choose. The committee has done its bit on it.