Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail)
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We will write for an information note on the circular and we will come back to it. We will probably have to reiterate or reconsider the three-month timescale. We will get information from the Department in the meantime.

On accounts and statements, I wish to update the committee on our efforts to ensure the timely presentation of accounts by public bodies. As decided by the committee, the secretariat wrote to 206 bodies in December 2017 and January 2018 to remind them of their responsibilities. So far, 75% of them have acknowledged or responded to the letter. Members will see the list on the screen. Those in green are the ones which responded.

Some of the bodies explained they had difficulties in getting board approval and in staffing. We will review the list at the end of April with the Comptroller and Auditor General. At the beginning of May, we will see those who have not submitted. We understand there is a month's process to do the audit. However, if they do not meet their obligation of submitting them on time, then that is a function of their corporate governance with which they should comply. We will get an update on how they get along.