Paddy Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Comptroller and Auditor General makes observations annually on State bodies for one reason or another. Recently, we saw that he made some observations concerning Inland Fisheries Ireland, IFI. The issue in respect of IFI has been raised by several Senators in this House, including by me, Senator Kyne and others, over the last 12 months. When the Comptroller and Auditor General raises issues with semi-State or State bodies, how do we know these things are rectified? Who is the watchdog for the rectification of anomalies identified within accounting procedures or for whatever other reason the Comptroller and Auditor General issued his observations? This is an important issue because we need accountability. We have seen many instances of various bodies, funded by the taxpayers, having breached the requirements of what they are supposed to be doing, whether concerning pay gaps or whatever. I wonder where the accountability lies in the end in this regard.

I am watching, along with Senator Kyne and others, the response from the IFI very closely. We have two ex-county managers who were to produce a report. They have replaced a board in the IFI. It will be interesting when this report comes out and I hope we will get a chance to have a debate on it when it does. Who ensures that the observations made by the Comptroller and Auditor General are upheld and that where penalties are imposed or money was used in the wrong fashion or whatever, these are paid back? Where, ultimately, does accountability lie in this regard?