Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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My Department has robust processes and procedures in place to support State bodies under its aegis with respect to compliance with corporate governance requirements.

Relevant liaison divisions as well as our Corporate Affairs Unit oversee the Department’s governance of State Bodies and, in particular, for monitoring compliance with the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies and with associated Circulars. The Head of Business Unit reports directly to a member of the Department’s Management Board on all matters relating to corporate governance compliance.

In relation to the ‘Protocol for the Provision of Information to Members of the Oireachtas by State Bodies under the aegis of Government Departments/Offices’, my Department ensures that all State bodies are made aware of the requirement to put arrangements in place to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas.

Oireachtas contact details, per requirements as set out by this circular are included in the attached table and are already readily available to Oireachtas Members.

With regards to the compliance and timelines for response of State Bodies, each must include a statement of compliance with the Code of Practice in the Chairperson’s Comprehensive Report in addition to all other reporting requirements outlined in the Business and Financial Reporting section of the Code.

My Department had not formally included an annual report of compliance of this specific circular on its website but will examine the scope for same in the near term.

The details of any implementation plans are an operational matter for the State Bodies themselves and as such I have referred this query to the State Bodies under the aegis of my Department and have asked that they respond directly on the matter.