I propose to take Questions Nos. 366, 367, 369 and 370 together.
Public accountability requires that accounts be produced and audited within a reasonable timeframe. The arrangements for the subsequent laying of documents before the Houses of the Oireachtas reflect this requirement and are consistent with the principles of good governance and transparency.
The requirements for the timely production and submission of accounts of bodies and funds (Circular 4 of 2011) require that accounts of bodies or funds should be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas within three months of their being audited by the C&AG. Departments are responsible for the compliance of all bodies under their aegis with these requirements and are required to ensure that all relevant bodies under their aegis are notified of and fulfil these requirements. The main provisions are as follows:
- The accounts or financial statements of bodies of funds under the aegis of Departments and Offices and audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General should be presented to the sponsoring Department by each body within one month of the audit certificate on the accounts being issued by the Comptroller and Auditor General, together with any report of the Comptroller and Auditor General on the accounts.
- Each Department is required to lay the audited accounts of bodies and funds under its aegis before the Houses of the Oireachtas within two months of such accounts being received by the Department, together with any report of the Comptroller and Auditor General on the accounts.
- Where a Department must first present these accounts to the Government, Departments are required to do this at the earliest opportunity and in such cases Departments must, in any event, lay the accounts of the body or fund before the Houses of the Oireachtas within three months of their being received by the Department.
- In the case of bodies which must first present their audited accounts at the Annual General Meeting of the body for adoption, the accounts should be sent to the parent Department within one month of the AGM at which the accounts are adopted, and if possible not later than three months after the Comptroller and Auditor General has issued the audit certificate on the accounts.
In the context of the reference to private sector requirements, the reporting timeframes outlined above are shaped by public accountability requirements, taking account of the statutory framework for the production, audit and transmission of accounts. These arrangements are kept under review by this Department, in consultation with the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General.