Mr. Martin Fraser:

It has not happened. Let me put it as follows. If I received an internal audit report or management letter or audit report from the Comptroller and Auditor General which gave rise to concern, I would have to take it up with staff in the Office of the President because that is my responsibility. However, I would not seek to intervene in the operations of Áras an Uachtaráin. As I am sure people understand, the relationships between the Government and the President and the Oireachtas and the President are very delicate. As such, it would be with the greatest reluctance that I would intervene in Áras an Uachtaráin. However, if a financial issue of the kind which would interest the committee arose, I would have to ask questions of the people in Áras an Uachtaráin and hope to have it fixed. However, it has not happened.