Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

On a related matter, the audit committee of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade made some recommendations which the committee should follow up. In June 2012, with regard to a recommendation to appoint a risk assessment officer, the chairman of the audit committee said:

It is disappointing that the Department has not yet found itself in a position to implement two appointments recommended in the previous audit committee reports: designation of a chief risk officer with direct access to you and; the appointment of a professionally qualified head of finance. The committee believes that both appointments would enhance the managerial capability of the Department. I understand from my contacts with you that while this view is shared by the Department it has thus far been unable to progress them because of staffing limitations.
I know what that is all about. In light of recent developments, we should look at that recommendation and have a discussion with the Secretary General of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade at the earliest possible opportunity.