Laura Harmon (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 1:

1. In page 3, between lines 17 and 18, to insert the following:

"Ministers of State: value for money

2. The Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) (No. 2) Act 1977 is amended by the insertion of the following section after section 5:

“Ministers of State: value for money

5A. (1) The Secretary General of each Department of State shall, not later than 1 April in each year, publish a detailed statement of—

(a) the costs incurred in the previous year attributable to the assignment of a Minister of State to the Department, including the cost of Special Advisers, civilian drivers and the staff working in the private office of the Minister of State, and

(b) the functions performed and official responsibilities discharged in the previous year by each Minister of State standing assigned to the Department in that year.

(2) The Comptroller and Auditor General may, in relation to a Department of State, carry out under section 9 of the Comptroller and Auditor General (Amendment) Act 1993 such examinations as he or she considers appropriate regarding—

(a) the appointment of a Minister of State and his or her assignment to the Department and the nature and extent of any special responsibilities conferred on the Minister of State,

(b) the organisation of sections and divisions within the Department for the purpose of facilitating the discharge of any special responsibilities conferred on the Minister of State, and

(c) the delegation (or non-delegation) of any statutory powers and duties of the Minister of the Government having charge of the Department to the Minister of State, and the exercise of any powers and performance of any duties so delegated, for the purpose of ascertaining whether and to what extent the resources of the Department have been used economically and efficiently.”.”.

This amendment is very straightforward. It relates to accountability, reporting, value for money and ensuring transparency around these new roles. I really hope we might be able find some common ground and get these very reasonable amendments passed. This amendment is all about economic efficiency, transparency and reporting, so I would really appreciate support for it.