Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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600. To ask the Minister for Defence if he will, in respect of his Department's audit committee, provide details of its current membership; the date of appointment of each member; the fees paid to each member; if members of the committee are required to hold certain professional qualifications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4214/14]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The Department of Defence Audit Committee is established in line with the recommendations of the Mullarkey Report, i.e. it has two external members, one of whom is the Chair of the Committee. The other members are an Assistant Secretary of the Department and the Deputy Chief Of Staff (Support) of the Defence Forces. Members are not required to hold certain professional qualifications, but are appointed on the basis of their experience and knowledge in the areas of public administration, finance and the business of the Department and the Defence Forces.

The current membership of the Department of Defence Audit Committee, date of appointment and fees paid are set out:

The previous Chair of the Audit Committee, from 19 April, 2010 to 31 December, 2013, was Mr. Peter Ryan, former Assistant Secretary to the Government. Mr. Ryan was paid the following amounts (net) in respect of his role as Chair of the Committee:

For 2010 – Nil (fee waived)

For 2011 - €708

For 2012 - €708

For 2013 - €708.

Sanction for payment of fees to the Chair was given by the Department of Finance on 30 March, 2010 and for the second external member of the Committee by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform on 13 March, 2012.