Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees
Wednesday, 15 February 2017
Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach
Vote 7 - Office of the Minister for Finance (Revised)
Vote 8 - Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General (Revised)
Vote 9 - Office of the Revenue Commissioners (Revised)
Vote 10 - Tax Appeals Commission (Revised)
1:30 pm
John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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We need to get it to understand that it has a role in consumer protection, both in insurance, which we will debate with the Minister of State tomorrow, and also regarding the banks, consumers and so on. The Central Bank does not place enough emphasis on that area. I would like to see the Central Bank highlight its role in protection.
Vote 8 relates to the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General. As the Department of Finance is responsible for the policy relating to the Comptroller and Auditor General and the Committee of Public Accounts, it should extend the remit of the Comptroller and Auditor General to ensure he can track the money, where necessary, down to the point where it is spent. As the Minister of State is a former member of the Committee of Public Accounts, he will know there are roadblocks on the way to achieving real transparency and accountability. I would like to see a policy shift to provide powers to the Comptroller and Auditor General to give greater accountability. That would apply to Irish Water if it continues to exist.