Austin Deasy
Question:53 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Finance his views on whether State and semi-State companies have far too much autonomy and are not sufficiently answerable to Dáil Éireann. [7568/95]
Written Answers. - Accountability of State Semi-State Bodies.
State bodies were of course established over the years because it was felt that the various functions assigned to them were more appropriately administered and executed by organisations operating outside the Civil Service, but answerable to the relevant Minister concerned. The degree of accountability of those bodies to the Dáil is ultimately determined by the Dáil itself through the legislation which underpins their existence.
In the case of each State body, the relevant Minister and his officials have responsibility for overseeing the policies and performance of each body. In turn, the board of each State body is charged by the Minister with ensuring that these policies are carried out. Ministers are answerable to the Oireachtas for the substantive affairs of bodies under their aegis, excluding matters of day-to-day operations and administration. The normal method of inquiry is the very medium we are using now — the parliamentary question.
There are a number of mechanisms which limit the autonomy of State companies. These range from statutory limits on and ministerial approval of borrowing, to appointment of directors, approval of capital expenditure, establishment of acquisition of subsidiaries and submission of annual and interim reports and accounts.
The Exchequer-sourced income of non-commercial State companies being largely voted, is subject to the approval of Dáil Éireann. The accounts of these companies are examined by the Comptroller and Auditor General and may be examined by the Committee of Public Accounts of this House. Additionally the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Commercial State-sponsored Bodies provides the means of examining the activities of State bodies.
I would not agree that the semi-State companies have too much autonomy. As regards additional accountability to Dáil Éireann, if the Deputy has specific proposals to put forward in this regard, I will be glad to consider them.