Committee of Public Accounts to examine 2022 Appropriation Accounts and chapters from C&AG’s report with Department of Finance, including Apple Escrow Fund

The meeting will be joined by the Comptroller and Auditor General, Mr Seamus McCarthy, and officials from the Department of Finance, led by the Secretary General and Accounting Officer, Mr John Hogan, and officials from the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform, to examine the following chapters from the C&AG’s Report on the Accounts of the Public Services 2022:

• Chapter 1 - Exchequer financial outturn for 2022;
• Chapter 2 - Reporting Ireland's EU transactions;
• Chapter 24 - Performance of the Ireland Apple escrow fund; and
• Chapter 25 - Irish Fiscal Advisory Council.

During the afternoon session, beginning at 1.30pm, the Committee will consider correspondence and other business of the Committee.

Committee Cathaoirleach Deputy Brian Stanley said: “The Department of Finance is responsible for the administration of the public finances and all connected powers, duties, and functions, including the collection and expenditure of the State’s revenues. Key Issues for the Department include balanced and sustainable economic growth, sound public finances, a regulated banking sector and leadership in economic, fiscal and financial decision making.

“Areas of interest for the Committee highlighted in the 2022 appropriation account and chapters of the CA&G’s 2022 report include the Exchequer financial out-turn last year, management of the national debt, future liabilities and payments under public-private partnership arrangements. Members also wish to examine reporting information on Ireland’s transactions with the EU and the recommendation that these should also be expanded to provide better information on the State’s overall performance in managing EU funding, including the €915 million available to Ireland under the EU Recovery and Resilience Facility put in place during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Other areas for examination include the performance of Ireland’s Apple Escrow multi-billion euro fund while the matter remains under appeal before the European Court of Justice. At the end of 2022 the net assets of the fund totalled €13,374 million, which represented a €259 million reduction in value for the year. The Committee looks forward to examining these and related matters with Mr Hogan and his colleagues.”

The meeting in Committee Room 3 can be viewed live on Oireachtas TV.

PAC is a standing committee of Dáil Éireann which focuses on ensuring public services are run efficiently and achieve value for money. Further information on the role and remit of the Committee can be found here.

Committee proceedings can also be viewed on the Houses of the Oireachtas Smartphone App, available for Apple and Android devices.