Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 2 June 2004
141 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science if the Secretary General of his Department has provided him with advice in pursuance of the Secretary General’s responsibility as Accounting Officer under public finance procedures as set out in table 2 of the Mullarkey report; and if not, if he has requested such advice from the Secretary General. [16862/04]
View answerSection A5 of "Public Financial Procedures" states as follows:
An Accounting Officer should ensure that all relevant financial considerations are taken fully into account, and where necessary brought to the attention of Ministers, in relation to the preparation and implementation of policy proposals relating to expenditure or income for which he or she is Accounting Officer.
I am satisfied that the Accounting Officer of my Department is complying with these requirements.
142 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the work completed by the audit committee in his Department in examining the implementation of his Department’s risk management strategy in accordance with paragraph 6.51 of the Mullarkey report. [16877/04]
View answer144 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science if the audit committee of his Department will consider a risk assessment with regard to strategic, operational, financial and reputational risks of the implementation of the Government’s decentralisation proposals as they affect his Department or its agencies; and if not, the reason therefor, in view of the recommendation of the Mullarkey committee that such risk assessment be carried out. [16907/04]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 142 and 144 together.
In accordance with the recommendations of the Mullarkey report — the working group on the accountability of Secretaries General and Accounting Officers — the Secretary General in consultation with the management advisory committee of my Department arranged for the formation of an audit committee. Arrangements were in train to hold the first meeting of this audit committee when the chairperson indicated that due to changed personal circumstances he was no longer in a position to undertake the task. The Department is in the process of seeking a new independent chair for this committee.
