Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 130: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his Department will be requiring stricter auditing in its expenditure for the next budgetary year; the details of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38451/08]

Peter Power (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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My Department maintains a system of rigorous accounting and audit controls which recognises the various types of risk inherent in its operations at home and abroad.

In common with other Departments, the Department of Foreign Affairs is audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General. In addition, the Department has its own Evaluation and Audit Unit, which is staffed by professionals and has responsibility for the internal audit function. Using a risk-based approach, it carries out and oversees a range of audits, evaluations and Value for Money reviews appropriate to the Department's activities. These cover both Vote 28 (Foreign Affairs) and Vote 29 (International Cooperation) of the Department of Foreign Affairs. In view of the scale and complexity of the Government's aid programme, which is delivered in often difficult and challenging environments, clear priority will continue to be given to the audit of expenditure in this area.

In addition to the robust internal systems, the Department has an independent Audit Committee which reports to the Secretary General. It provides an independent appraisal of audit reports and of the Department's audit and evaluation arrangements. The Committee meets regularly with the Secretary General and annually with the Comptroller and Auditor General. It also publishes an annual report on its work.

The Government attaches the highest importance to ensuring effective audit and evaluation of all public expenditure. In my Department, regular reviews of the overall audit approach, audit work programmes and resource levels will continue to be undertaken by management to ensure that audit systems and coverage remain appropriate to the risks and challenges facing the Department of Foreign Affairs.