asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry when the last audited accounts of Bord Iascaigh Mhara were presented to Dáil Éireann, and when the more recent set of accounts will be made available.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Bord Iascaigh Mhara Accounts.
10.
The audited accounts of An Bord Iascaigh Mhara for the year ended 31 December 1977 were presented to Dáil Éireann on 6 March 1979. I am informed by the board that the 1978 accounts are at present being prepared for audit but I cannot say at this stage when they will be available.
Was that an exceptional delay or was it quite in order? It seems to be 15 months later.
The previous delay was not good enough, and I approached the board about the matter. This report is coming to hand on stream and we will have it shortly.
Is there an explanation for the undue delay?
It is not an explanation really. It happens with State bodies, but it will not happen again in this case.
The Minister has admitted there is one month's delay already and he cannot give any indication when the report will be presented.
We are getting it on stream very fast. The last report about which Deputy Deasy complained—and I agree with a good deal of what he had to say—was presented to the Dáil on 6 March. I hope to have this one in May-June.
We should have had it on 6 March. This is almost 6 April.
Would Deputy Begley behave himself?
I will, and I will not be lectured by the Minister. Will the Minister tell the House that the auditor has refused to sign the report?
The Deputy's colleagues are a credit to him and he is a discredit to them. His behaviour generally here has been reprehensible.
Question No. 11.
(Cavan-Monaghan): I want to ask a supplementary question.
(Interruptions.)