Peter Power (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)

Unfortunately, this amendment ignores the reality that the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission operates on the basis of annual Estimates, which it prepares in accordance with section 13(3) of the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission Act 2003. The commission, having taken full account of the funding provision as set out in the Bill before the House, has already prepared its statement of Estimates for 2010 in any event. This statement, in which total expenditure for 2010 is estimated at €117 million, was presented to Dáil Éireann and noted by way of motion in the House on 19 November last. It was then furnished to the Minister for Finance in advance of his presentation to Dáil Éireann of the Estimates of receipts and expenditure for next year on budget day.

The Minister for Finance considers that the amendment would be unworkable in practice. I understand the Deputy's intention in introducing it, particularly in light of the contribution he made during this debate. However, the commission is primarily accountable to the Dáil for its expenditure in that the Secretary General can be called before the Committee of Public Accounts to give evidence on all aspects of his accounting functions as set out in section 14 of the 2003 Act. In the context of accountability and good governance, the issue of reporting to the House is covered by the principal Act of 2003. Accordingly, it would be impractical to accept the amendment.

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