Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The Local Government Audit Service does its work and it issues recommendations. The Department stated in March last that the implementation of the recommendations made is a matter for the management of the local authority. In the scheme of things, what the Deputy is trying to convey to Mr. Doyle is that councillors would be reluctant to take on the county management and whether it is implemented or not is a matter for the manager and the management structure within the local authority. The councillors have very little hope of being able to force that. In view of the discussion here this morning, what is clear so far is that the committee - it is not for me to decide - will discuss recommendations in relation to any report we issue on this, that there should be a statement of internal control for local authorities. Given the amount of money, they do very good work but it is clear that there is a weakness in that regard.