Feargal Quinn (Independent)

I am disappointed to hear the Minister of State stating a definite "No". Had he said that 30 April is too soon, but proposed another month to 31 May, I could understand it. Banks currently have the technology to publish their accounts within hours of the end of a financial year. It is not, therefore, impossible for companies and other organisations to publish their accounts in a timely manner. I know we must go through the Comptroller and Auditor General, which takes a longer, but the Bill provides that it must be done. "As soon as practicable" is a very vague term and I was trying to set a standard for State bodies that would be equal to, or even surpass, standards elsewhere. The date of 30 April is not fixed. Many Bills that came before the House in the past ten years stipulated a term of six months from the end of the financial year. The amendment does not seek to encourage the board itself to finalise its accounts, because that will be done; it is to ensure the Minister of the day does not sit on them after receiving them. I urge the Minister of State therefore to consider the matter seriously. An alternative wording may be possible and I hope he will consider that between now and Report Stage.