Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 June 2014
123. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Taoiseach when Ireland’s national risk assessment will be published; the opportunities Dáil Éireann will have to debate the national risk assessment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25912/14]
View answerThe draft National Risk Assessment was published by the Government in April following initial consultations within and outside the public service. Its purpose is to identify the strategic risks, both financial and non-financial, which Ireland faces. A public consultation process on the draft National Risk Assessment is now underway and submissions have been sought on significant risks that Ireland may face. Departments have been asked to bring the draft to the attention of any relevant persons or organisations that may be in a position to make a worthwhile contribution to a process. Contributions from Oireachtas members on the draft National Risk Assessment would of course be welcome as part of this consultation process and I would be pleased to see a Dáil debate on the draft if that was arranged by the Whips.
A Steering Group representative of all Government Departments has also been established to take responsibility for progressing the National Risk Assessment process including the next steps outlined in the document. It will identify what policies and processes are in place to mitigate against the risks already identified and consider the results of the public consultation process. It is also intended to commission a review of governance of risk management across Government which will inform a more systematic approach to identifying and managing broad risks at a strategic national level. It is intended that the final National Risk Assessment, taking account of the public consultation process and work of the Steering Group, will be published in the early Autumn.
