Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It is evident that we are all in the same corner. We are frustrated at the lack of transparency. Although we might appear to give the officials a hard time, it is to encourage everyone in the system to move in the direction in which we all need to move. There is no criticism; we are all just a bit frustrated at the slow pace. That is why we called the officials to a special meeting, to highlight it and to give it greater emphasis. Sometimes the Committee on Public Accounts must link it to the tax that has been collected and the expenditure. That is our opening into this, but it is not just about examining the past but also the benefits for the future.

We have concluded our discussion. I thank the officials from the Department of Communication, Climate Action and Environment for their attendance and the Comptroller and Auditor General and his staff. The committee secretariat will contact the officials for any follow-up information that is required and was mentioned.

The next meeting will be with the Revenue Commissioners, during which we will ask about carbon tax. We will discuss Vote 9 of the Revenue Commissioners - Central Fund-related accounts, chapter 17 of the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General on tax compliance interventions, and chapter 18 on tax relief on film production. In the meantime, we will launch the latest periodic report of the committee next Tuesday at 4 p.m.