With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 146 to 148, inclusive, together.
Arising out of the bank closure in 1970 and its aftermath a serious accumulation of work occurred in the Paymaster General's Office resulting in delay in furnishing statements of receipts and payments to Departments. These statements are necessary for the preparation of Appropriation Accounts. Statements were, however, issued to all Departments simultaneously but I understand from the Comptroller and Auditor General that at the date of his report some seven accounts had not yet been received by him. Some of these were not received until March. Because of this and other delays in printing and proofreading, the Comptroller and Auditor General was not in a position to submit the printed version of the Appropriation Accounts to me until 13th September, 1972. The accounts were presented to the Dáil on 15th September, 1972. I have, however, taken the necessary steps to ensure that the work of issuing statements of receipts and expenditure to the various Departments has been brought up to date and I expect all 1971-72 accounts to be submitted to the Comptroller and Auditor General by the statutory date of 30th November, 1972.