Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 16: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the details and outcome of the past three reviews by his Department's Governance Support Division of compliance by his Department's State bodies with the code of practice, in particular to name the State bodies that have not achieved full compliance; the reason for same; the action taken by him; the results of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24386/10]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The latest Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies circulated by Department of Finance in June 2009, applies to the following agencies under the aegis of my Department:

1. Enterprise Ireland (EI)

2. Industrial Development Authority (IDA)

3. Health and Safety Authority (HSA)

4. Forfas

5. National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI )

6. Science Foundation Ireland (SFI)

7. Shannon Development

8. Irish Auditing & Accounting Supervisory Authority (IAASA)

9. Competition Authority (CA)

10. Labour Relations Commission (LRC)

11. National Consumer Agency (NCA)

12. Personal Injuries Assessment Board (PIAB)

13. County & City Enterprise Boards (CEBs)

Ultimately it is the boards and chief executives of State agencies that are responsible for ensuring that effective systems of internal control are maintained and operated.

The Mullarkey Report of the Working Group on the Accountability of Secretaries General and Accounting Officers 2002 recommends that Departmental Accounting Officers should satisfy themselves, through the reporting arrangements, that the requirements of the Code of Practice are being implemented.

Action in my Department to address this includes regular meetings between Departmental Officials and agency personnel, and analysis of documentation obtained from agencies. Training in managing state agency performance is provided to Departmental staff dealing with monitoring compliance with the Code of Practice.

Based on a review by Departmental staff, there is a high level of compliance with the Code of Practice. Further assurance is taken from unqualified audit certificates provided by the Comptroller and Auditors General on annual financial statements of these agencies.