Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

We sought details to be included in the accounts of the remuneration associated with Accounting Officers. The reference to this was a request coming late in the timeframe for preparation and sign off on the accounts. This is information that is readily available within the Department and the letter and request from our committee was sent on 31 January so I do not accept that there would be difficulties in Departments providing this information.

The second query I would like to make in response to Mr. Moloney is on his reference to the timescale. He stated: "...this disclosure will for 2021 be based on the remuneration associated with the grade." That is not the information we have sought. We have sought the net remuneration received by Accounting Officers. We are aware of the situation in the Department of Health where a public statement was made that an Accounting Officer was waiving a portion of his or her salary. This committee needs to be clear that it is seeking information on how much was paid to the Accounting Officer in each Department. I see no reason that would not, and could not, be provided for 2021. I ask that we request that in clear terms in our correspondence with the Secretary General of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. We should also inform each Department that we are seeking this information, either in the form of the accounts, or where that information cannot be provided due to the timescale and the preparation of the accounts, it should be provided in a note to the committee.