Marc MacSharry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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I know that the Chairman is anxious to conclude this matter but I would like to make two points. Deputy Connolly's remarks captured it all for me. I might have been relatively indifferent about the timing and so on but this letter has annoyed me. It makes me feel like we should send the work programme over to Merrion Street and see what they are happy for us to do, who we should meet and what questions we should ask and so on.

There was an internal audit function for the Garda training college in Templemore. We all know where that led. That is not to say that the internal audit of the President's Establishment is not exceptionally good. I am sure it is. Another issue is the actions of the Chief State Solicitor's Office in offering as a defence the committee's interventions in a case as a reason for somebody to withdraw from suing the State in the David Hall case about which we were never consulted. Under Standing Order 186, the Committee of Public Accounts is a committee of the Houses of the Oireachtas. With respect to the Secretary General, the Chief State Solicitor's Office and anybody else we set the agenda in this committee in line with our remit.

I am so annoyed about this letter and I want the committee to do the examination. I am hugely proud of the performance of all of our Presidents, including the incumbent. I am only interested in where the money is spent.