Sir, - You were right to commend certain individuals and organisations for their persistence in pursuing the Department of Agriculture for laxity and possibly worse in the management of European Union funds (Editorial, January 7th). In fairness, the European Court of Auditors should be included in any catalogue of vigilantes.
Had the Department adopted recommendations made to it by the court, the offences for which Ireland was subsequently punished might not have occurred.
Excellent relations exist between the office of the Irish Comptroller and Auditor General and the European Audit Court. Neither institution is empowered to impose sanctions for breaches of financial regulations. Both make reports to their respective parliaments, which, with the Commission and the national government, have responsibility for pursuing matters raised in auditors' reports.
The operation of the European budget is spread over the 15 Union member states, other states involved in trading or co-operative relations with the Union and Third World countries in Africa, the Caribbean and Asia. The administration of the union's funds is largely in national hands. If national supervisory bodies are not actively involved in overseeing the operation of European programmes within national jurisdictions, the risk of mismanagement and irregularities is greater.
There is a need to strengthen co-operation between the European Parliament's Budget Control Committee and the Dail's Public Accounts Committee so that supervision of the Union's finances can be more systematic and efficient and management made fully accountable. - Yours, etc., Richie Ryan,
Ardilea, Dublin 14.