asked the Minister for Energy when the annual report and audited accounts for the INPC will be published, and the reasons for the delay.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - INPC Report and Accounts.
5.
Although no definite publication date has yet been settled, it is expected that the annual report and audited accounts of the INPC for the year 1985 will be published by end of June 1986.
The 1984 report and accounts were published on 1 May 1985, whereas the reports for 1983 and 1982 were published on 27 July 1984 and 24 August 1983 respectively. I do not accept, therefore, that there has been any delay in publishing the 1985 report and accounts.
From the knowledge in his Department, is the Minister in a position to confirm that losses are expected this year for the INPC.
That is a separate question.
I am asking the Minister if he has any knowledge of the content of the report, as set out in my question. I think that is a legitimate question. Has he any knowledge of what is likely to be in the report? I am suggesting there are substantial losses.
If the Deputy wished to have a discussion on the balance sheet I would have had no hesitation in preparing a reply in relation to that matter.
I am simply asking the Minister if he has any information as to what is in the report.
Obviously, I have a working knowledge of the operations of the INPC.
They are losing money.
My question still stands.
The question asked when the report will be published and the reasons for the delay.
As I told the Deputy before, if he wishes to get information regarding the balance sheet he should put down a question. Obviously, I will have full knowledge of the report and accounts when they are presented to my Department. I shall then present them to Government immediately they are available.
Will the Minister give the reason for the long delay in this connection? Is it not true that the last report received was for 1984? The question asks for the reasons for the delay.
The Minister has answered that.
What are the reasons for the delay?
I am not accepting that there has been any delay.
We are now in the middle of 1986.
It is quite standard procedure to get reports within six months of the end of the accounting year.
I am calling Question No. 6.