Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick East, Fine Gael)

Several people have previously suggested that the Comptroller and Auditor General, Mr. John Buckley, should be involved in the review being carried out by the special group on public service numbers and expenditure programmes, which is chaired by Dr. McCarthy. I am surprised that the Comptroller and Auditor General is not a member of that group. Has any action been taken in the context of involving the Comptroller and Auditor General in the process? His office has access to information - historical and current - that is vital to this process. I am of the view that Mr. Buckley and his colleagues could bring something to the table in respect of assisting the review in examining budgeting processes.

What we are concerned with here is better use of taxpayers' money. I come from a business background and I find the budgetary process unusual. There is an incremental system under which standard annual increases are provided in respect of each heading. We should move to a system whereby a form of zero-based budgeting would apply. Under such a system, there would be a need to justify every item of expenditure. There would also be a need to introduce an entirely new budgetary process whereby all Members would be part of the system. This would be preferable to continuing with the current system of allocating standard increases across all headings. It is for this reason the Comptroller and Auditor General should be part of an bord snip nua's review process. Has the Minister taken action in respect of this suggestion, which was put to him on the last occasion on which parliamentary questions were put to him in the House?

See this speech in context