An audit committee was established by my Department in 1994. The current members of the committee are Mr. J. Donnelly, chairman of the audit committee and deputy chairman of Hypo Real Estate Bank International, Professor Niamh Brennan, UCD, Mr. Carey from the Department of Finance, Mr. Downes from CIE, Mr. O'Connor from the Revenue Commissioners and Mr. O'Driscoll an assistant secretary at the Department of Agriculture and Food. The committee operates under a charter and has held 43 meetings since its inception. The committee publishes an annual report which is presented to both the Minister and the Secretary General.