Seanad debates
Wednesday, 16 April 2003
Companies (Auditing and Accounting) Bill 2003: Second Stage.
I commend the Bill and the intentions behind it. It is hugely important and, despite my earlier remarks, I admire the work done by Senator O'Toole and his colleagues. However, the focus would be improved if the compliance requirements were restricted to compliance with tax, company law, etc., as well as material breaches of same. Those requirements should not extend to subsidiaries which will have boards in their own companies that will be required to secure compliance. There is also a problem for companies with many subsidiaries as, from my reading of the Bill, they will be forced to replicate procedures. It might be sufficient for a compliance statement to be issued by the group parent on behalf of the subsidiaries.
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