Táimid ag dul ar aghaidh anois go dtí an chéad phíosa gnó eile, is é sin Bille an Ard-Reachtaire Cuntas agus Ciste (Leasú) 2017 - An Chéad Chéim. Iarraim ar Teachta Dara Calleary an Bille a chur inár láthair.
Comptroller and Auditor General (Amendment) Bill 2017: First Stage
I move:
That leave be given to introduce a Bill entitled an Act to amend the law relating to the Comptroller and Auditor General; to allow for certain supervisory powers in relation to infrastructure spending within the State; and to provide for related matters.
This legislation follows on from the recent IMF report on infrastructural spending in Ireland, which found that, while we generally managed public infrastructure relatively well, there were a number of issues. For example, the proliferation of sectoral strategies for infrastructure spending generated weak results and limited information on cost estimates.
It also concluded there is room to improve the methodological rigour, sequencing and the effectiveness of project appraisal. In light of the forthcoming capital plan and the extra expenditure that it will unleash, as well as conclusion within the plan that current infrastructure blockages are holding Ireland back, this Bill will give extra powers to the Comptroller and Auditor General, which, if properly resourced, will give confidence to taxpayers that their money is being spent well.
I welcome the conclusion of the Luas cross-city project and particularly that it came in on budget. The lessons from that project must be learned by other sectors of the State as we prepare for a new capital plan. This Bill would give extra powers to the Comptroller and Auditor General to investigate all infrastructure projects when they have been completed. Specifically, were a budget to increase by more than 20% during construction, an automatic review would be triggered under this legislation. Were demand for the infrastructure project to fall by more than 30%, an automatic review would be triggered under this Bill. It is appropriate that we move it to the next Stage to tease out the issues. It is even more appropriate that we send a message that we will not stand for cost overruns in infrastructure projects.
Is the Bill opposed?
Question put and agreed to.
As this is a Private Members' Bill, Second Stage must, under Standing Orders, be taken in Private Members' time.
I move: "That the Bill be taken in Private Members' time."
Question put and agreed to.