Derek McDowell (Labour)

This amendment inserts a new section into the Bill which relates to the Comptroller and Auditor General (Amendment) Act 1993. The purpose of the amendment is to ensure that the 1993 Act applies to the property registration authority as if it were a Department. The need arises because the authority will have its own Vote, as the Land Registry and registry of deeds currently have. The chief executive will be the Accounting Officer under section 23 of the Bill. A similar provision was inserted into the Garda Síochána Act to come into effect when the Garda Commissioner becomes the Accounting Officer.