Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 5 May 1936

Vol. 61 No. 15

Committee on Finance. - Vote 4.—Comptroller and Auditor-General.

Minister for Agriculture (Dr. Ryan)

I move:—

Go ndeontar suim ná raghaidh thar £10,872 chun slánuithe na suime is gá chun íoctha an Mhuirir a thiocfaidh chun bheith iníoctha i rith na bliana dar críoch an 31adh lá de Mhárta, 1937, chun Tuarastail agus Costaisí Oifig an Ard-Scrúdóra (Uimh. 1 de 1923), maraon le hOifig Iniúchóireachta an Arachais Náisiúnta.

That a sum not exceeding £10,872 be granted to complete the sum necessary to defray the Charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of March, 1937, for the Salaries and expenses of the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor-General (No. 1 of 1923), including the National Insurance Audit Office.

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Finance (Mr. Flinn)

There is a net increase in this case of £267 on a total of £16,372. The increase is made up of salaries and staff readjustments, and I do not think any question of principle arises.

Mr. Dillon

I referred, in connection with the Flax Bill, to the romantic soul of Deputy O'Donovan. Perhaps the Parliamentary Secretary could tell us if romance has crept into the arid surroundings of the Comptroller and Auditor-General's office?

Mr. Flinn

I sincerely hope so.

Mr. Dillon

I notice the four auditors referred to in sub-head A have had their joint remuneration increased by £400 during the last year. Are we to have the pleasure of congratulating these four gentlemen on having entered the holy bonds of matrimony? That seems to me to be the only explanation of the sudden increase in their joint remuneration.

Mr. Flinn

I will read out the actual circumstances for the Deputy. In one instance the salary for Acting-Auditor has been transferred from the provision for Assistant-Auditors to that for Auditors—it is a transfer.

Mr. Dillon

So there is no romance?

Mr. Flinn

No, unfortunately.

Mr. Dillon

Then there is no further interest in these cases.

Vote agreed to.