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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 9 Jul 1992

Vol. 422 No. 5

Written Answers. - Oireachtas Staff and Resources.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

71 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Finance which Government Department is responsible for the allocations of staff and resources to the Oireachtas; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Under the Constitution, it is the task of the Government alone to prepare the estimates of expenditure on a yearly basis for each vote — including estimates in respect of the Office of the Houses of the Oireachtas — and present them to the Dáil for consideration. It is Dáil Éireann which, in deciding whether to accept or reject the allocations as set out in the various subheads of the estimate, determines the allocations. Proposals for expenditure from the Vote for the Houses of the Oireachtas are initiated by the Clerk of the Dáil. Any such expenditure — whether for staff or other resources — requires the sanction of the Minister for Finance: the need for such sanction depends on the Exchequer and Audit Departments Act, 1921 and the Staff of the Houses of the Oireachts Act, 1959. Department of Finance sanction is of course also required not alone by Government Departments and Offices, but also by other organs of the Constitution, in respect of expenditure from their votes.

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