Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

824. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide details of the current membership of his Department's audit committee; 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. [4225/14]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Audit Committee in my Department comprises 4 members and operates under an Audit Committee Charter approved by the Secretary General and the Chairman of the Committee. As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I do not have a role in matters relating to the Audit Committee. There are 2 Executive and 2 Non-Executive members on the Committee – the Chairperson is a Non-Executive Member.

Details of current membership are as follows:  

Non-Executive members

- Mr. John Lawlor (Chairperson), Head of Management Information Systems Group at Trinity College Dublin – appointed 6August 2004

- Mr. Richard Byrne, retired Chartered Accountant – appointed 20March 2008  

Executive Members

- Mr. Maurice Mullen, Assistant Secretary – appointed 7February 2013

- Mr. Maurice Treacy, Principal Officer – appointed 11December 2009  

Fees are paid to Non-Executive members of the Committee only,  at the rates sanctioned by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. The fees currently applicable are:

- Chairperson - €363.06 per diem (subject to a maximum of €8,068 per annum)

- Non-Executive member - €256.60 per diem (subject to a maximum of €5,130 per annum)  

It is not a requirement that Committee members hold specific professional qualifications, however appointments are carefully considered to ensure that an appropriate balance of experience and expertise is maintained.