Gay Mitchell
Question:42 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Finance the total amount paid by the State for telephone bills in 1991; if he has satisfied himself that the bills received are accurate; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - State Telephone Bills.
The total amount paid by the State in 1991 for telecommunication services in respect of Departments and Offices was £23.884 million.
While as Minister for Finance, I am naturally concerned about the propriety of all public expenditure, it is not my responsibility, nor would it be feasible for me, to satisfy myself as to the accuracy of individual telephone bills.
Under the Exchequer and Audit Departments Act, 1866, Accounting Officers appointed by me are answerable to the Dáil, through the Dáil Committee of Public Accounts, for the proper expenditure of money from Votes for which they are responsible. The Accounting Officer is personally responsible for the safeguarding of public funds and property under his control, for the regularity and propriety of all transactions in each Appropriation Account bearing his signature and also for the efficiency and economy of administration in his Department.
While an Accounting Officer is not required to be familiar with the details of every financial transaction affecting his Vote he is nonetheless expected to satisfy himself that adequate arrangements exist within his Department to ensure among other things the correctness of all payments.
I am satisfied that all reasonable safeguards are taken by Accounting Officers and by the officers entrusted with the detailed duties of telephone accounts to ensure the correctness and propriety of all such transactions.