Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I welcome the opportunity to speak on the motion. I take the opportunity to congratulate Deputy Martin Mansergh on his new appointment. I have no doubt he will do an excellent job as he has done in the past.

I note a number of accountants have spoken on the motion this evening. I thought this House was overrun by teachers and barristers. I am delighted to note we have a number of accountants also, more than we had in the previous Dáil.

As a member of the Committee of Public Accounts I have had a particular insight into the role of the Comptroller and Auditor General. I take this opportunity to wish Mr. John Purcell well in his retirement. He leaves with plenty of life and jizz in him yet. I know he will have many other things to do with the time spent previously in the office. I also wish his successor, Mr. John Buckley, every success in his new and difficult role.

I am sure when Mr. Purcell compares the amounts of money he audited 14 years ago to those being audited now he will admit there has been a quantum leap in the scale of responsibilities and economic activity in all Departments. One cannot simply apply the same old methods when the scale of activity changes to this extent.

The role of the Comptroller and Auditor General is important in any democracy. It is important this is set out in the Constitution and that there is all-party agreement in respect of that role. The Comptroller and Auditor General must not only be independent of Government but of the Dáil in every situation.

I wish to be associated with the praise expressed to Mr. John Purcell for his work as Comptroller and Auditor General. However, we would be a little dishonest if we did not admit to regular mutterings in respect of his lambasting of the Government, Ministers and Accounting Officers.

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