Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
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Question 538: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of high level groups operating within his Department; the purpose of each group; the year each group was set up; the number of times each group has met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40330/10]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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There are a number of high level groups operating within my Department, namely:

Food Harvest 2020 Implementation Group

This is a high level committee, which I chair, was established recently to direct and take whatever action is needed to successfully implement Good harvest 2020. One meeting has been held. The group consists of representatives of Departments and semi-state agencies.

The Dairy Expansion Activation Group This group was established in October 2010 to address the specific actions required to achieve the targets of dairy expansion set out in the Food Harvest 2020 report. This Group is chaired by Dr. Sean Brady and consists of representatives of farmers, processors and Teagasc. To date the Group has met once.

The Accreditation Review Group

The Accreditation Review Group (ARG) meets under the chairmanship of the Secretary General of the Department and includes representatives from the Department of Finance and the Office of the Revenue Commissioners. Its primary function is to ensure that the Department retains its status as the accredited paying agency in Ireland for CAP Funds. In particular, the ARG monitors compliance with EU accreditation criteria and the follow up of all recommendations contained in the EU audits and the Certifying Body audits. The ARG first met in 1997 and has met quarterly every year since then.

Risk Management Committee

The Risk Management Committee (RMC), chaired by the Secretary General of the Department, monitors the implementation of the Department's risk management system. The RMC first met in 2002 and has met quarterly every year since then. The Committee in particular assesses the key risks (strategic, operational, financial, reputational) facing the Department and outlines measures for addressing them.

Steering group to monitor the Implementation of value for Money and Management Services Report.

This Group was established as a subcommittee of the Management Committee (MAC) of the Department. It is chaired by the Secretary General and is charged with monitoring the implementation of finalised reports and reviews. The Steering Group meets on a quarterly basis. The first meeting took place in April 2010, thereafter a meeting was held in July 2010 and a third meeting will be scheduled before the end of the year.

This Group replaced the Efficiency Review Group (ERG) which was established as a subcommittee of the MAC in October 2008. Its remit was to facilitate a strategic approach to budgetary decision making, while addressing the structural changes necessary to enable the Department fulfil its wide ranging remit. The ERG met on seven occasions from the time of its establishment.