In our article of 5 December 2016, we had indicated that we would discuss the Report of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on the country’s accounts for the years 2010-2011. This report was laid in the National Assembly on the same day that the Minister of Finance tabled the 2017 Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure.
It therefore did not attract much attention, as it was overshadowed by events that took place in the Assembly during the last two weeks – the general debate on the budget, followed by the detailed consideration of Estimates.
Given our experience in the past, one does not expect any discussion of the PAC report in the Assembly. This is rather unfortunate, considering that the PAC examination of the public accounts and reporting to the Assembly is an integral part and an important stage in the public accountability cycle.
This cycle begins with the approval of the Estimates, followed by: (a) the execution of the budget; (b) mid-year reporting; (c) annual financial reporting; (d) external review by the Audit Office and reporting to the Legislature; (d) examination by the PAC and reporting back to the Legislature; and (e) the tabling of the Treasury Memorandum in the Assembly setting out what actions the Government has taken or intends to take in relation to the findings and recommendations of the PAC.
