John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy’s suggestion that the Secretary General or Accounting Officer automatically appear before the committee if information requested is not received by the committee within four weeks is reasonable and should be standard practice. On the specific question of the information sought from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, it is setting a bad example for other Departments when this committee is trying to set a good example to ensure there is a good response publicly to queries raised by it. I suggest we send a copy of the Official Report of the meeting to the Secretary General. It is reasonable to suggest that if we do not receive a reply by next Thursday, he be asked to come before the committee next Thursday. I do not believe he can let it go another week, as it will just continue on until Christmas.