Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)

The Department wishes to bring the legislative provision for submitting companies' annual reports in line with the guidelines set out in the Government's code of practice for the governance of State bodies. The amendment came about on foot of a recommendation contained in a draft report prepared by the Department's internal audit section. Ports are currently obliged to submit their annual reports, etc., six months after the end of each accounting period. The amendment reduces the time limit in this regard to four months.