financial year, possibly in the form of a specific grant. And lastly, similar funds must be appropriated to the small institutions for the same purpose. The delays in the payment of excess audit fees threaten the financial stability of the office of the Auditor-General. In addition, it makes it difficult for the office of the Auditor-General of South Africa, Agsa, to carry out its constitutional mandate and the fact that it has to depend on payments of the excess audit fees from the National Revenue Fund may bring into question Agsa's independence. The ANC will continue to protect the constitutional mandate and the independence of the office of the Auditor-General. The ANC therefore supports the Public Audit Access Fee Bill and recommends that the House passes the Bill.