Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 22 Oct 1997

Vol. 482 No. 1

Written Answers. - Financial Procedures.

Michael Bell

Question:

19 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the number of bank accounts operated directly by his Department and institutions under the aegis of his Department; his views on whether it is in order to have blank cheques signed while awaiting countersignature by another; the single signatory accounts, if any, there are; if so, the number of audits which have taken place on these accounts; whether all cheque signatories have been issued with written instruction as to the obligations they have in ensuring that such expenditure is properly accounted for by means of supporting vouchers; when such written directions were last updated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17301/97]

Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation (Dr. McDaid)

Payments by my Department are made by means of payable orders drawn on the Paymaster General (PMG). These are in the nature of a non-negotiable advice to the payee that the PMG is authorised to make a payment of the sum stated on the face of the order when the advice is presented by a bank to the PMG. The steps laid down in the public financial procedures, issued by the Department of Finance, are rigorously followed with these payments.

My Department operates a small number of public bank accounts, for specific purposes such as payment of air fares, and these were opened with the prior sanction of the Department of Finance, as is also required in the public financial procedures.

Accordingly, the question of blank cheques and single signatory accounts does not arise in my Department. The banking arrangements of the institutions under the aegis of my Department is a day to day operational matter for those institutions, and accordingly I have no function in the matter.