asked the Minister for Finance, in view of the growing budget for the Secret Service, if he will introduce procedures to ensure that Dáil Éireann can satisfy itself regarding the expenditure of such funds which are not now subjected to scrutiny in the normal way by the Committee on Public Accounts.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Secret Service Budget.
18.
The nature of Secret Service payments is such that to subject them to normal Dáil scrutiny would obviously defeat the whole object of the expenditure. That is why Dáil Éireann, since the foundation of the State, has expressly exempted such expenditure from the type of information and explanation it would be entitled to receive in respect of other voted moneys. In the circumstances, I do not propose to interfere with the traditional procedures.
I might add, for the information of the House, that there are strict accounting and certifying procedures, acceptable to the Comptroller and Auditor General, in operation in relation to disbursements from the Secret Service Vote.
In view of the sensitive nature of the question, I do not intend to pursue it too far, but I should like the Minister to give me the amount of the Secret Service budget for the most recent year available. Would be agree that the small amount of the Vote in the early years of the State gave rise to the system of accounting now in existence? Would he consider arranging with the Chairman of the Committee of Public Accounts that he would consider the expenditure of funds?
The Comptroller and Auditor General, as the Deputy will be aware, exercises his functions with great care. As I said in my reply, there are strict accounting and certifying procedures, which are acceptable to the Comptroller and Auditor General, in operation in relation to disbursements from the Secret Service Vote. The Vote in 1985 was £170,000 and this year, as passed by the Dáil, the Estimate was for £250,000.
Is the Minister aware that the amount in relation to the Secret Service Vote is much more restrictive and qualified than those for which normal certificates are issued?
I suppose that is in the nature of things. We cannot examine this Vote in the same way as other Votes because particular procedures are laid down which are operated by responsible officers. I have no reason to believe there is any problem in this regard. However, I will consider the matter in view of the Deputy's questions, but I cannot say if there will be any results.