Meetings on accounts committee

A further series of meetings will be held today in an attempt to resolve the legal difficulties relating to the extension of …

A further series of meetings will be held today in an attempt to resolve the legal difficulties relating to the extension of the powers of the Dail Committee of Public Accounts. The committee needs the extra powers in its inquiry into bogus non-resident accounts in Allied Irish Banks.

Asked by Fine Gael leader Mr John Bruton if there were constitutional problems, Mr Ahern said the problem which might arise there was due to the specific constitutional role of the Comptroller and Auditor General. Any legislative amendments which the Government might now make must not cut across the specified role of the Comptroller and Auditor General.