I am aware of the resource accounting and budgeting developments in Britain. The UK model and timescale is appropriate to their circumstances; our approach reflects the needs and priorities of Irish government accounting. The enhancement of accounting techniques in Government Departments has been under continuous review for several years. A joint working group comprising representatives of the Department of Finance and the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General in 1994 recommended the incorporation of substantial accruals-based information in the Appropriation Accounts. These recommendations were endorsed by the Committee of Public Accounts of Dáil Éireann and implemented in the Appropriation Accounts over the three year reporting period 1994 to 1996.
On the basis of recommendations contained in Delivering Better Government, a financial management working group, comprising both private sector and public service representatives, was established under the chairmanship of the Secretary General of my Department. A report addressing the structure of management and financial reporting, multi-annual budgeting and other Government accounting issues was presented to the implementation group on the SMI in June for submission to the Government in the near future. The Government's consideration of the financial management working group report will also encompass the pilot project modelled on resource accounting undertaken in the Department of Public Enterprise.
