Vol. 467 No. 6
3 Mr. O'Malley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry when the second accounting officer with responsibility for FEOGA matters will be appointed in his Department; the heads and subheads of the Vote for which the second accounting officer will have responsibility; and whether it is anticipated that the appointment will be made from within his Department, from within the public service or by way of open competition. [13783/96]
The decision on the appointment of an accounting officer with responsibility for FEOGA payments will be made in the context of the reorganisation of the Department which is being worked on since last year. I expect to receive final proposals from the secretary of the Department regarding this reorganisation, which will involve the creation of a number of executive units within the Department, within the next month.
It is not yet possible to indicate the heads and subheads of the Vote for which a second accounting officer will have responsibility. I will appoint the head of the executive unit with responsibility for EU payments such as export refunds and intervention on foot of an open competition. The person involved will, as is normal, be confirmed as an accounting officer by the Minister for Finance.
Is the Minister of State aware that the total amount of FEOGA funds which will come under the influence of this second accounting officer is a figure in excess of £1.5 billion, which constitutes the vast bulk of the expenditure in the Department? For how much of the Department's budget will the existing accounting officer be responsible, given that more than £1.5 billion will be accounted for by a new accounting officer? Is this not an amazing development in respect of any Department and entirely without precedent on this scale in the history of Irish public administration?
We may appoint more than one accounting officer in the Department. The Taoiseach set up a strategic management initiative in 1995.
The former Taoiseach.
The present Taoiseach also supports it. He launched the strategic management initiative document some months ago. Following that, a special reorganisation committee was set up in the Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry. That will report to the management committee in the Department tomorrow and will make certain recommendations to set up various sections within the Department. In March the Government decided — it was referred to in a previous question to Deputy Cowen in May — that an accounting officer would be appointed to manage FEOGA funds. Both agree that restructuring must take place in the Department. This was agreed in consultation with officials and the Secretary of the Department.
While I understand the Deputy's point, the matter is now being addressed. Accounting officers will be appointed and somebody will be in charge of FEOGA funding. I welcome that development as I am sure the Deputy does.
What an extraordinary statement — that somebody will now be in charge of FEOGA funding because that implies, of course, that nobody was in charge of it up to now, with which I am sure some people in Brussels might be inclined to agree.
In view of the fact that a new accounting officer will be responsible for all FEOGA funding, which is very extensive, does the Government propose to designate a new competent authority under article 4 of Regulation 729/70 which deals with the appointment of a competent authority for this purpose since the Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry will no longer be the competent authority? Has the Government given notice under that article to the Commission of its intention to appoint a new competent authority? If not, when will that notice be given?
This is not part of the question and I do not have that information. I will pass it on to the Deputy.
It very much arises from the question. It is a pity the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry is not here. This is the second time in three months that the Minister has not seen fit to come in and answer questions. That is unsatisfactory. If he has some public engagement today he should have done what other Ministers do from time to time, change the date on which he would answer questions so that he could ensure he could be here.
Was the Government decision of 12 March 1996 to appoint a new accounting officer for all the FEOGA funds of the Department part and parcel of the negotiations that were then ongoing seeking a reduction in the fine imposed on Ireland, which was subsequently obtained, and a substantial reduction of £15 million to £20 million in the fine was made? Was this achieved as a result of an assurance by the Irish Government that FEOGA funds would be dealt with efficiently by a new authority and a new accounting officer?
The Deputy is introducing new matter.
Deputy O'Malley may be aware that the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry is involved in very important negotiations in Luxembourg, which were completed late last night and he could not be with us today. He won a very favourable outcome for Irish farmers.
The farmers do not think so.
I am not privy to Government decisions.
Is that why they sent you to the House to answer questions today?
It is unfortunate the Deputy did not include this query in his original question. This appointment is part of the strategic management initiative of which I am sure Deputy O'Malley is in favour as he called for the appointment of an accounting officer in the past and he must be pleased that a person is being appointed.
He has not been appointed.
He will be appointed. I do not know what point Deputy O'Malley is trying to make and what he is trying to achieve.
I want an answer to my question. Was this decision of the Government on 12 March last part of the bargaining process to obtain a reduction in the fine imposed on Ireland by the Commission for the Department's failure to supervise the FEOGA system?
The Cabinet made a decision on 12 March that an accounting officer would be appointed.
Was that part of the bargaining arrangements with Brussels to try to get the fine reduced?
If it was, I am not aware of it.
That is one way of answering the question.
