Comply or Explain. Having regard to the proposals to establish a new oversight body to replace the Authority, it is agreed that it is acceptable that the Authority’s Audit Committee shall continue to be comprised of three members, at least one of which will be a non-Executive member of the Authority and at least one of which will be an independent external member. This will be reviewed in the context of future review of the Audit and Risk Committee Charter and evaluation of the effectiveness of the Committee.
Comply or Explain i. This Corporate Governance Assurance Agreement 2024 - 2026 has been agreed between both Parties as satisfying the requirements for an agreement as prescribed in the 2016 Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies. This Agreement sets out the broad corporate governance framework within which the Legal Services Regulatory Authority will operate and defines key roles and responsibilities which underpin the relationship between the Authority and the Department of Justice.
Comply or Explain. As an agency under the Justice Vote (Vote 24), the Bureau does not have its own internal audit capacity; this role is carried out by the Department’s Internal Audit Unit. The Bureau liaises with the Department’s Financial Management Unit, who report on the Bureau’s income and spending in their monthly management reports. The Bureau reconciles this expenditure with their own records. In addition, the Bureau annually compiles Financial Statements on behalf of the Secretary General for submission to the Comptroller and Auditor General, for audit purposes. Having regard to the nature of the Bureau’s work, a dedicated email address for the purpose of communication with Oireachtas members has been deemed inappropriate and therefore arrangements have been made to facilitate such communication through xxxx@xxxxxxx.xx.
Comply or Explain. As a small body funded under the Justice and Equality Vote, the Board does not have its own Internal Audit Unit or Audit/Risk Committee. Alternative arrangements are in place as outlined above. In view of the particular nature and narrow range of the Board’s functions and its very small size, the parties have also agreed the following: - A separate Performance Delivery Agreement is not required. This Oversight Agreement already notes the Board’s statutory obligation to review the detention of each patient at intervals of not greater than six months. This forms the principal basis for monitoring the Board’s performance. - The Board is not required to produce a Strategic Plan. However, the CEO prepares an annual Business Plan for the Board. - The Board is not required to produce a Customer Charter or associated Action Plan. The CEO and staff of the Board follow the principles and procedures set out in the Department’s Customer Charter. - The CEO, rather than the Chairperson, may furnish the Comprehensive Report to the Minister (in conjunction with the submission of the Board’s Annual Report).
Comply or Explain. In view of the OSP’s executive office status, limited corporate resources and functional scope, it has been agreed that the OSP is not required to produce a multiannual strategic plan at this point. This position will be kept under review. For the same reasons as above, the parties have agreed that the OSP is not required to produce its own customer charter or associated action plan. The OSP follows the principles and procedures set out in the Department’s Customer Charter.
Comply or Explain. Water Safety Ireland will provide an explanation of any non-compliance with the terms of the Code, laying out context and rationale to explain satisfying the requirements of the Code, at monitoring meetings. Appropriate disclosure and dialogue is necessary in the interests of transparency, confidence and accountability.
Comply or Explain. GSOC is in the process of establishing an Audit and Risk Committee to oversee the management of risk and internal controls in the organisation and to advise the Commission in relation to matters of audit, governance and risk. It is expected that the Committee will be in place by Quarter 3 of 2021.
Comply or Explain. Having regard to the size of the Authority, and the fact that it falls under the Department’s Vote, it has been agreed that the Department's Internal Audit Unit will provide support to the PSA in order to satisfy the relevant requirements of the Code of Practice.
Comply or Explain. The Department, in partnership with the Chief State Pathologist, is responsible for setting the strategic direction of the OSP and this is incorporated into the latter’s annual Business Plan. In view of the OSP’s executive office status, its limited corporate resources and its simple mandate, the Department has exempted the OSP from the requirement to prepare a Strategic Plan at this stage. However, the position will be kept under review and revisited during the course of this Agreement.
Comply or Explain. As a small body which is staffed by the Department and funded under the Justice and Equality Vote, the OIP does not have its own Internal Audit Unit or Audit/Risk Committee and is not required to produce Financial Statements. Alternative arrangements are in place as outlined above. For the same reasons as above, the parties have also agreed that the OIP is not required to produce a separate Customer Charter or associated Action Plan. The OIP follows the principles and procedures set out in the Department’s Customer Charter.
