As previously advised through parliamentary reply PQ77, the Department has instituted a review into various matters relating to the effectiveness and efficiency of the competition authorities, which includes a forensic investigation into certain items identified in the Auditor General Report and the results of the investigation is awaited.
In addition to the above, I refer the Honourable Member to the published annual reports of the Competition Commission which deal with irregular spending matters for relevant years in some detail, including where appropriate, matters related to consequence management in relation to officials.
In relation to a financial management strategy to control expenditure, the Commission advises that it has done the following:
The wider review of the Commission readiness for the implementation of changes to legislation that I have referred to, will also address some aspects of improved technical management of financial matters and financial controls.
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