Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)

I thank the Minister for taking on board the views I expressed in respect of this matter on Committee Stage. However, questions arise in respect of subsidiaries and the level of accountability that applies in respect of them. The fact that their activities will be commented upon in the annual report is something. However, people will be concerned that any such subsidiaries might be established. Deputy Varadkar recently highlighted the number of quangos and subsidiaries of State and semi-State bodies which remain in place for long periods and an appalling vista has opened up with regard to the financing of FÁS.

The Minister stated that subsidiaries will be accounted for through the authority's annual report. There is a view on this side of the House that a sunset clause ought to come into operation after a number of years in respect of any or all subsidiaries. There is also the suggestion that these subsidiaries should be obliged to report to the Oireachtas every two years in order that we might evaluate whether they are working, the nature of the work they are doing, whether they are accountable and transparent and whether control is exercised over them. Issues relating to accountability and control are important.

Under the Oireachtas committee system, representatives of the new DTA, Bus Éireann, etc., can be requested to appear and report on the work in which they are involved. The difficulty is that the windows of opportunity which exist in this regard are small, particularly in light of the extremely busy committee schedule. Are there any other means by which the Minister can ensure that there will be total accountability on the part of any quangos or subsidiaries that may be established as a result of the passage of this legislation?

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