Shane Ross (Dublin South, Independent)

I would blame those guys too. The Minister should not worry. However, it is a question which only one person can answer. If it wanted to blame those guys, I am sure the Government would not be averse to doing so.

Is there any penalty or stricture or can anything be done when these quangos, these semi-State or State agencies, decide to ride roughshod over these rules and say they will not or cannot produce accounts on time? What can be done to enforce this rule? Often it is honoured more in the breach than in the actuality. FÁS did not produce its accounts until November last year. Now it does not give a hoot and it is again not producing them. One would have to ask the question whether it is up to its old tricks or whether it is just being negligent.

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