Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)

These rigorous and extensive measures confirm the Government's absolute commitment to ensure that decisions on the fund are informed by the public interest, accessible to public application and fully subject to public scrutiny. These are the important criteria.

I should also mention that the Bill provides for separate recording of dormant accounts spending through the Votes of Departments. This means, for example, that where dormant accounts fund spending for a project for a community group is approved, the relevant funding will be channelled through the Department principally dealing with that sectoral group. In this way, dormant accounts spending can be tracked across Departments and transparency as to overall spend and accountability is enhanced.

At this point I, on behalf of the Government, wish to convey the Government's appreciation to the Dormant Accounts Fund Disbursements Board for the work it has undertaken to date.