Seanad debates

Wednesday, 16 April 2003

Companies (Auditing and Accounting) Bill 2003: Second Stage.

 

I wish to deal with the issue of accountants being directors. They have a strong argument to make but they need to be careful about the basis on which they make it. I do not accept the argument they have made for various reasons. They have made the case that we need accountants because of all the work being done by the board. The legislation makes it clear that the board is required to have the staff and the resources to do what it is doing. Members of the board, like me, will not be examining the accounts of businesses, drafting practice notes or setting accounting standards, on which we will be advised. It would be helpful to have accountants and auditors on the board, on which there are two already. I would support the idea provided that everything else was in order. There is a strong argument to be made in that regard, although not on the basis that members of the board need to have the necessary experience and knowledge to do the work of accountants. Members of the board will not become accountants tomorrow morning. Their job is to act very much like any regulator does; he or she examines the situation, the problems, the advice and comes to a conclusion. That is how the work of the board will be done. It will be done in close contact, which is the only way it can be done.

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