Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 4 Jun 1998

Vol. 491 No. 7

Written Answers. - Prompt Payment of Accounts.

Nora Owen

Question:

102 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has satisfied himself that the Prompt Payment of Accounts Act, 1997, which came into force on 1 January 1998, is being implemented by all relevant bodies and authorities under his aegis; if all systems are in place to ensure that the 45 day limit for payments is being met; if not, if interest is being paid; the complaints, if any, he has received regarding non-payment on time; if he has sought an interim report on the way in which the legislation is working during the last six months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13233/98]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Andrews)

Procedures to ensure compliance with the Prompt Payment of Accounts Act were formally introduced in the Department in January 1998. Within the terms of the Act one minor payment of interest has been made by the Department to date and one is outstanding, details available on request. Each of the agencies under the aegis of the Department, the Agency for Personal Service Overseas, Refugee Agency, National Committee for Development Education and Irish Aid Advisory Committee, has put its own procedures in place to facilitate prompt payments. The operation of the various procedures is being monitored with a view to any necessary improvements. In the case of the Department it is intended to enhance prompt payment procedures in the context of an upgrade of the electronically based financial management system.