Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

While I cannot confirm what is in anybody else's mind or thought processes, I can confirm to the House that I will convey Senator Bradford's views to the Minister, Deputy O'Sullivan, and ensure she has a transcript of this debate. My view on this, and one I will convey to the Minister and have conveyed on a number of occasions to the Committee of Public Accounts during my time there, is that if the Comptroller and Auditor General, as an independent constitutional office of this State, raises questions - I have not seen the report and I do not wish to pre-empt it - it would be important that we would all reflect and act upon whatever recommendations or conclusions that independent constitutional office arrives at. It is an office that is held in very high regard by the taxpayers and citizens of this country and by Members of both Houses of the Oireachtas. I, like many others, eagerly await the publication of the Comptroller and auditor General's report. I once again thank the individual who made the complaint for bringing it forward to the Committee of Public Accounts. It is important that people have that forum and I am pleased that Comptroller and Auditor General is now examining it.