Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 2 June 2004
279 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs 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. [16884/04]
View answerMy Department's audit committee operates in accordance with the terms of its charter that was agreed with its management advisory committee.
The audit committee complies with the requirements at paragraph 6.51 of the Mullarkey report. It provides independent and objective advice and acts as a support and resource to the Department. Its remit includes recommendations on the internal audit function, financial matters, the control environment and governance procedures including the Department's risk management strategy.
The implementation of a risk management strategy is reviewed and monitored by the audit committee at each meeting. At its last meeting my Department's initial corporate risk register was reviewed and endorsed.
281 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if his Department’s audit committee will consider a risk assessment with regard to strategic, operational, financial and reputational risks of the implementation of the 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 a risk assessment be carried out. [16914/04]
View answerMy Department's audit committee provides independent and objective advice and support on financial and governance issues. It also reviews financial and administrative practices.
As already indicated to the Deputy, my Department carried out an initial examination of corporate risk in the context of decentralisation, having regard to the risk categories identified above and at paragraph 6.31 in the Mullarkey report. More detailed risk assessment is under way in divisions within my Department. ADM has already undertaken a similar exercise.
The findings of these risk assessment exercises, along with my Department's decentralisation implementation plan, will be reviewed and examined by the audit committee in due course.
