The first chapter deals with the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources and specifically with chapter 8.1 of the Comptroller and Auditor General's report. The matter reported on concerned the development of a computerised inventory and planning system for the forestry sector. The committee found that the project was badly managed and that the Department was slow to take effective action to deal with the problems which emerged. The committee made three recommendations which have been accepted by the Minister for Finance. The status of the recommendations is that the matter is now closed. Is that agreed? Agreed.
The second chapter also deals with the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources. The issue involved improving the levels of connectivity with Ireland and both the US and Europe. The committee found that the decision taken in 1999 to improve the levels of connectivity was "far-seeing", particularly in view of the aim to attract investment. However, the committee recommended that the State should endeavour to involve private companies in sharing the risks in investing in infrastructural projects in the sectors in which they operate. The committee's recommendations have been accepted by the Minister for Finance, so the matter is closed. Is that agreed? Agreed.
Chapter 3 related to the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. This chapter of the interim report of the committee dealt with an oversight in the drawing up of a statutory instrument which in turn meant that almost 10,000 companies which had been charged for late filing were due refunds. This chapter also considered the Department's Vote. The three recommendations made by the Committee of Public Accounts which related to improvement of procedures with regard to statutory instruments, the need for the availability of modern financial systems in Departments, and the need for the Health and Safety Authority to have a random element to its inspections. All these recommendations were accepted by the Minister for Finance. The status is that these matters are closed. Is that agreed? Agreed.
Chapter 4 concerns the Competition Authority and specifically its accounts for 2002 and 2003. Two of the three recommendations made by the committee have been accepted by the Minister. The third, which related to giving consideration to amending competition legislation, has been rejected by the Minister on the grounds that it is a policy matter. However, he says that the matter will be reviewed on an ongoing basis. That is a reasonable response. Is it agreed that this chapter is closed? Agreed.
Chapter 5 relates to the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, specifically the scheme for urban regeneration. The committee found that €72 million was spent in four years from 1999 to 2002. However, this was a significant underspend on the amounts that had been allocated. Both of the committee's recommendations have been accepted by the Minister. These matters are now closed. Is that agreed? Agreed.
Chapter 6 again refers to the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, specifically the financial procedures within local authorities. Again the committee's recommendations have been accepted by the Minister. The matters are now closed. Is that agreed? Agreed.
Chapter 7 dealt with the accounts for 2002 of the Environmental Protection Agency. The committee made a number of recommendations all of which, except one, have been accepted by the Minister for Finance. The introduction of the Protection of the Environment Act 2003 is cited by the Minister as the reason for the non-acceptance of the committee's recommendation, which seems reasonable. Is that agreed? Agreed.
Chapter 8 related to the value for money report carried out by the Comptroller and Auditor General on the collection of television licence fees. Once more, the Minister has accepted the committee's recommendations. The matter of recommendations is now closed. Is that agreed? Agreed.
The ninth and final report on the interim report relates to the OPW's acquisition of land at the site of the battle of the Boyne. In making its recommendation the committee was conscious that nugatory expenditure should be avoided where possible. The recommendation has been accepted by the Minister. Is it agreed that recommendations now close? Agreed. The committee's consideration of the minute of the Minister has concluded. Is it agreed to note the minute? Agreed.
The eighth interim report on the 2003 report of the Comptroller and Auditor General relates to the Department of Education and Science. The report contains chapters on various activities of the Department, including the provision of psychological services, schools by way of public private partnership and the Department's Votes. It is now governed by a single Vote. Chapter 1 relates to the committee's consideration of the chapter in the Comptroller and Auditor General's report on the National Educational Psychological Service. While the committee recognises that significant advances have been made in the last ten years, there were still problems at the time the report was compiled. The committee's recommendations have been accepted, with the exception of the recommendation to provide more flexible access to private services in the light of the inability of the psychological service to fully meet its original brief. While the Minister does not directly say the recommendation has been accepted, it is pointed out that it is being considered in the context of a review of the scheme for commissioning psychological assessments. It seems a reasonable point. Is it agreed the first chapter should be closed? Agreed.
The second chapter covers the value for money report compiled by the Comptroller and Auditor General on the group schools pilot partnership project. The committee made a number of findings and recommendations which the Minister has accepted for the most part. In the case of the first two recommendations which have not been accepted, the Minister explains in detail various procedures outlined in the Department of Finance's guidelines. The recommendations will be revised further this year. On the second recommendation which has not been accepted, the Minister informs the committee that the Department of Education and Science will undertake in 2008 a value for money review of the grants paid to first and second level schools.