Independent International Commission on Decommissioning

HL Deb 20 November 2003 vol 654 c349WA

Lord Kilclooney

asked Her Majesty's Government:

1. (a) what has been the total cost of the IICD since it was appointed;
2. (b) what has been the contribution of the Government of the Republic of Ireland towards that cost;
3. (c) whether the accounts of the commission are audited;
4. (d) to whom the auditor's report is presented; and
5. (e) whether any such auditor's report is available.

[HL5047]

The Lord President of the Council (Baroness Amos)

(a) and (b) The commission's running costs are shared equally between the British and Irish Governments. The British Government's share of the costs, since the establishment of the commission to the end of September 2003 is £3,594,888.

The accounts of the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning are audited by the Comptroller & Auditor-General in the Republic of Ireland.

Article 9 of the international agreement which established the IICD requires that the auditor's reports be submitted to the British and Irish Governments.

The auditor's report is included with the audited accounts, copies of which have been placed in the Library. The most recent audited accounts available relate to 2001: the Republic of Ireland's financial year is coincident with the calendar year.