Mr. Seamus McCarthy:

Ordnance Survey Ireland, OSi, which was established as a State body in 2002, is the national mapping agency. It operates under the aegis of the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. As part of the programme of rationalisation of State bodies, it is planned that OSi will merge with the Valuation Office and the Property Registration Authority by the end of 2013. I understand there may be some delay in this regard because legislation will be required to give effect to the merger. OSi’s income comes primarily from sales of spatial data and mapping products, which generated income of €19.5 million in 2011. OSi is also in receipt of grant-in-aid from the Vote for communications, energy and natural resources. The total grant-in-aid paid in 2011 was €7.45 million. Around three quarters of OSi’s expenditure in 2011 related to salaries and pension costs. OSi also invested €2.2 million in capital additions over the year.

In 2011, OSi formalised its interest in a joint venture called An Post GeoDirectory Limited, in which OSi and An Post have collaborated to provide a definitive database of addresses in the State. OSi’s financial statements for 2011 received an unqualified audit opinion. However, my audit certificate drew attention to a number of disclosures in the financial statements. Bonuses totalling €30,000 were paid to four staff members in 2011. These bonuses were not in accordance with the provisions of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Act 2009. Accrued bonuses for 2008, 2009 and 2010 relating to the former chief executive officer had not yet been paid. These were payable without contravening the 2009 Act but payment was deferred based on an agreement with the former chief executive officer. Payment of interest on the amounts deferred was part of the agreement. An overpayment of salary was made to the then chief executive officer while the application of the provisions of the 2009 Act was being clarified. The chief executive officer will be able to update the committee on the final legal settlement with the former chief executive officer in relation to remuneration matters. Following completion of the audit, the 2012 financial statements for OSi were certified on 11 October 2013.