Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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I am sure the Chair is aware of the commentary and public discourse arising from last night's "RTÉ Investigates" programme about activities, for want of a better term, on local authorities. The Dáil's lack of ability to hold to account the substantial Exchequer expenditure that goes into our local authorities is something that arises regularly. This committee does not have a remit. The Comptroller and Auditor General does not audit the accounts of local authorities. That is something that needs to be addressed. I would welcome an opportunity for this committee to have an engagement with the local government auditors, the Department responsible and representatives of the local authorities themselves to assess how we might ensure there is proper transparency and accountability in respect of the Exchequer funding of local authorities. We do not have real local government in this country. I say that as someone who was a proud member of a local authority for many years. Essentially, we have local administration of national policies and very limited powers for elected representatives at a local level. Where power does reside in local authorities it is generally in the hands of unelected officials. In that context, there is a need for full accountability and transparency in this sector as in all public sectors. I am raising this issue to try to initiate a debate in the first instance but we should look at arranging an engagement, which could be informal if needs be, with the local government auditor, the Department and representatives of the local authorities to see whether we can bring forward proposals that this committee would play a role in ensuring that accountability and transparency.