Houses of the Oireachtas Commission Annual Report 2016

This annual report is prepared in accordance with section 6(1)(k) of the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission Acts 2003-2015 (the Commission Acts).

Section 6(1) of the Commission Acts requires the Commission to prepare and publish an annual report on the activities of the Commission in the previous year and to lay the report before both Houses of the Oireachtas. Table ofContents Strategy 4: Strategy 3: Strategy 2: Strategy 1: Progress underfourStrategic Initiatives: Implementation oftheStrategic Plan2016-2018 Secretary General’s AnnualProgress totheCommissionon Report Comparative BenchmarkingofParliaments Year inReview 2016 Role oftheHousesOireachtas Commission Houses oftheOireachtas Governance Framework Secretary General’s Report Introduction by CeannComhairleandCathaoirleach Appendix XII: Appendix XI: Appendix X: Appendix IX: Appendix VIII: Appendix VII: Appendix VI Appendix V: Appendix IV: Appendix III Appendix II: Appendix I: Appendices

R Annual Accounts2016 Financial Information S Houses oftheOir Dev P Suppor Suppor Glossary of Commission MeetingsandAttendance 2016 2016 AnnualR Bills passedb Bills initiatedintheHousesofOir Annual R R romote Accessibility andPublic Engagement tatement ofResources eport ontheworkofParliamentary Committees 2016 eport onCompliancewiththePrompt Paymenteport ofAccountsAct

elop ourCapabilityandOurStaff t MembersintheirConstitutionalRoles t theHousesofOireachtas andtheParliamentary Reform Agenda eport oftheAuditCommitteeCommission2016 eport

Terms y theHousesofOireachtas in2016 eport undertheProtected Disclosureseport Act eachtas Service Organisation Chart eachtas Service

eachtas in2016

Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 150 149 148 145 142 130 129 151 32 23 96 95 93 92 70 64 55 32 31 15 10 7 4 2

Annual Report 2016 1 Annual Report 2016

Introduction by 2 Ceann Comhairle and Cathaoirleach

We are pleased to present the 2016 Annual Report process, to enable them to more effectively fulfil of the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission their constitutional functions in the best interests of pursuant to section 6 of the Commission Acts. the people they represent. Members brought their experiences to bear in proposing the reform The report provides an overview of the business of programme that emerged from this common the Houses of the Oireachtas and their Committees, consensus and is now being implemented. the work of members of the Houses and the services that support them. The Commission’s Communicating the work of the Houses to the public financial account, set out in Appendix IV of this is of central importance in achieving our report, shows the expenditure incurred in running core objective of A Parliament for the People. the Houses of the Oireachtas last year. The public have a strong stake in the work of their parliament and the decisions taken there that affect This report also presents the achievements of the them. Members rightly take their role as Service in accordance with the priorities set out in representatives of the public very seriously in

Annual Report 2016 the Strategic Plan adopted by the Commission. We pursuing their interests and concerns through the welcome the progress on implementation of the work of the Houses. The sub-Committee on Dáil strategy and the achievements presented in the Reform in its final report to the Houses also report as well as the considerable efforts of the highlighted the importance of accessibility, including staff of the Service over the past year. physical access to the Houses and enhanced access 2016 was a year of change on several fronts for to parliamentary information through the website of the Houses following the elections to Dáil Éireann the Houses. To this end several initiatives, directed and Seanad Éireann which saw 102 new members at informing the public about the work of the Houses joining the Houses. The change in the political and facilitating public engagement, continue to be composition of the Houses following the elections pursued through our communication channels. ushered in a programme of Dáil reform reflecting The Oireachtas website is one of the primary the desire of the House to conduct its business points of information among the general public more effectively to better serve its members and an important means of making the Houses more and, most importantly, the people we serve. accessible. Over the last year the website has These reforms are not just focussed on formal undergone a significant redevelopment, improving changes to the Standing Orders and procedures. online access to a variety of parliamentary They extend beyond the rules and are focused information and delivering timely information on the on giving effect to the priorities that members important work of the Houses, their Committees and themselves wanted to emerge from the reform members. Museum forfacilitating thismove. sincere appreciation totheBoard oftheNational of theCommission,we wouldliketoexpress our allow theurgent worktogetunderway. Onbehalf temporarily totheNationalMuseumofIreland to This year, theSeanadChamberwillrelocate was vacated lastyear in preparation fortheproject. and oversight astheworkproceeds. The House and willcontinueitsongoingcloseinvolvement the OfficeofPublic Works atitsmonthlymeetings Commission receives anupdatebriefingfrom refurbishment project iswell underway. The Detailed planningandpreparation forthe preservation inkeepingwithitshistorical importance. order toensure itslongtermstructural integrityand special responsibility forsafeguarding theHousein building. Ascustodiansofthebuilding,we have a works toaddress structural deterioration inthe programme ofextensive structural andupgrade theGeorgianreport, Houseisundergoing a House structural project. Aswe notedinlastyear’s planning andpreparation fortheGeorgian Leinster Another priorityfortheyear was tooversee the inguidedtoursoftheHouses. participated over 100,000visitorsandover 52,000visitors continue tobepopular. Lastyear we received Guided toursforvisitorsandschoolgroups debates intheHouses. followers tokeepup-to-date more easilywith also madegreater useofsocialmedia,allowing access totheparliamentaryproceedings. We have and subtitledcontentontheChannelgivinggreater was enhancedthrough theprovision ofsigning proceedings more widelyavailable. Accessibility making live broadcasts oftheparliamentary platform lastyear, expandingitscoverage and Oireachtas TV beganbroadcasting ontheSaorview

Cathaoirleach ofSeanadÉireann Senator Denis O’Donovan Ceann Comhairle Seán ÓFearghaíl TD objectives over thepastyear. towards achievingour their workandsupport Commission andourcolleaguesfor We wouldalsoliketothankthe committeesofthe Commission. parliament whichishighlyvalued by the theHousesandmembersof bring tosupporting and fortheprofessionalism anddedicationthey fortheirwork General andthestaffofService our gratitude andappreciation totheSecretary members oftheHouses. We wouldliketoexpress new the parliamentaryreforms andsupporting implementationof environment, supporting responding tothechangedparliamentary over thepastyear. wasdevoted to Mucheffort Responsiveness definedtheworkofService underspend of€ against abudgetof€ running theHouseslastyear was€ Appendix IV. The accountshows thatexpenditure for by theComptroller andAuditorGeneral, issetoutin ended 31December2016,whichhasbeenaudited The Commission’s financialaccountfortheyear 15 million (12%). 15 million(12%). 131 million,resulting inanet 116 million 116 million Annual Report 2016 Annual Report

Annual Report 2016 3 Annual Report 2016

Secretary General’s Report

Annual Report on Implementation of the 4 Strategic Plan 2016-2018

I am pleased to present this report to the and in particular to ensure that new and returning Commission on progress achieved in implementing members received timely and coordinated services the Strategic Plan, A Parliament for the People, over and the support necessary to discharge their roles the past year. as parliamentarians.

This report is prepared pursuant to section 16(1)(k) On the first sitting day of the 32nd Dáil, the Ceann of the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission Acts Comhairle was elected by secret ballot. This was the 2003 – 2015 which requires me, as Secretary General first time this procedure was used following a reform of the Service, to provide an annual progress report agreed at the end of 31st Dáil. The process involved on implementation of the Plan to the Commission. extensive planning and preparation to ensure the smooth running of events on the day. The Strategic Plan sets the strategic direction, priorities and expected results for the Service for the Under the Ceann Comhairle’s chairmanship, the period 2016-2018. It is an overarching framework for sub-Committee on Dáil Reform undertook a Annual Report 2016 planning our business operations and allocating comprehensive review of the parliamentary resources and contains four interrelated strategies procedure and practice and proposed reforms across adopted by the Commission, namely to: the broad spectrum of the parliamentary business, n Support the Houses of the Oireachtas and the such as the financial scrutiny function of the Dáil, Parliamentary Reform Agenda the legislative process, Private Members’ business, parliamentary questions and committee business. n Support Members in their Constitutional Roles n Promote Accessibility and Public Engagement On foot of this review, significant reforms have been n Develop our Capability and our Staff implemented in the Oireachtas committee system. These have redefined the remit, operation and This report outlines the Service’s performance and composition of the Committees with the aim of achievements over the past year in implementing strengthening their effectiveness in scrutiny and these strategies. oversight of public policy-making. Additional The past year saw significant change in the Houses. resources have been allocated to the Committees, Following the Dáil and Seanad general elections, 102 including enhanced resources for independent new members joined the Houses: 60 new members policy analysis, to support this important work. of the Dáil and 42 new members of the Seanad. In Of particular importance is to strengthen the earlier part of the year, one of the first priorities parliamentary engagement in the budgetary of the Service was to facilitate the transition process process. The first step in this regard has been the years ahead. role inthe well positionedtocarryoutitsimportant Houses inthedigitalageand ensure thatitremains theworkof delivery tosupport align itsservice tobetter These initiatives willpositiontheService integrated approach toinformation management. across businessareas andimplementingan technology tostreamline workflows andprocesses were advanced focusingonleveraging information Over thelastyear anumberofstrategic ICT projects the OPLA. theproposedresources newfunctionsof tosupport Commission fortherecruitment ofadditional the recommendations withtheapproval ofthe March 2017. iscurrently implementing The Service approved by thesub-CommitteeonDáilReform in objective. The recommendations ofthiswere todeterminehow besttopursuethis undertaken was Houses. Acapacityreview oftheOPLA advice onlegislationbeingconsidered by the Private Members’ Billsandby providing themwith membersinthedrafting of to enableitsupport the OfficeofParliamentary Legal Adviser(OPLA) reform istoextendtherole of Another important operational in2018withupto15staffatfullstrength. and financialscrutinyroles. The PBOwillbefully assist themineffectively carryingouttheirbudgetary Budgetary Oversight andSectoral Committeesto theSelectCommitteeon key role insupporting andwillplaya the HousesofOireachtas Service The PBOwillbeanindependentspecialistunitwithin established. months aParliamentary BudgetOffice(PBO)willbe Budgetary Oversight andover thenexttwelve establishment oftheSelectCommitteeon well assheembarksonthenextphaseofherlife. with distinctionforover 27years andwe wishher retired during theyear. Deirdre theSeanad served Deirdre Lane, formerClerkofSeanadÉireann, who I wouldalsoliketoacknowledge andthankMs standard. dothistoanexceptionally high the Service is acriticalfunctioninanydemocracy andstaffof theworkofParliament anditsmembers Supporting the challengesplaceduponthemover thelast year. professionalism. embraced They wholeheartedly fortheirdedicationand colleagues intheService In concluding,Iwouldliketosincerely thankmy throughout theduration oftheproject. disruption totheparliamentarybusiness oversight by the Commission,toensure minimal continue tomonitoritsprogress, withpolitical programme ofworkmoves will ahead,theService allow theurgent structural worktoproceed. Asthe temporarily totheNationalMuseumofIreland to summer theSeanadChamberwillberelocated to alternative appropriate accommodation. This those ofOireachtas office-holders,were relocated decanted andallofficesinthebuilding,including them. Over thepastyear theHousewasfully essentialtosupport the operations andservices minimal impactonthebusinessofHousesand carefully managedtoensure thattheworkwillhave presents anumberofchallengeswhichare being works forGeorgian Leinster House. The project programme ofessentialstructural andupgrade detailed planningandpreparation forthe with theOfficeofPublic Works inprogressing the continuestoworkclosely Elsewhere, theService Annual Report 2016 Annual Report

Annual Report 2016 5 6 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report Houses oftheOireachtas Service Clerk ofDáilÉireann andSecretary General ofthe Peter Finnegan shared visionofAParliament forthePeople. on thisover thenext12monthsinrealising our made in2016andIamconfidentthatwe canbuild Working together, significantprogress hasbeen overCommission fortheirsupport thelastyear. the Commissionandcommitteesof the CeannComhairle,CathaoirleachofSeanad, Finally, Iwouldliketoexpress myappreciation to The mostrecent legislationistheHousesof administration forthefollowing three-year period. Houses oftheOireachtas andtheparliamentary make fundingavailable fortherunningof every three years; theprimarypurposeofthisisto and tothepublic.Amendinglegislationisenacted improvements provided inthe services tomembers Houses andhasintroduced anumberofsignificant 2014, hasoverseen toboth thedelivery ofservices The Commission,sinceitsestablishmentin money intheperformanceofitsfunctions. expenditure by theHousesandensure value for and hasastatutoryobligationtooversee ongoing of theOireachtas intheperformanceofitsfunctions The CommissionisalsoaccountabletotheHouses independent intheperformanceofitsfunctions. in 2004,itisastatutorycorporate bodyandis chaired by theCeannComhairle. Firstestablished The Commissionconsistsof11membersandis (theService). the HousesofOireachtas Service also oversees implementationofthosepoliciesby in carryingouttheirparliamentaryfunctions.It them the Housesandtheirmemberstosupport for thedelivery ofprogrammes to andservices determining financialandadministrative policy Service. The Commissionisresponsible for governing bodyoftheHousesOireachtas running oftheHousesOireachtas andisthe (the Commission)isthebodyresponsible forthe The HousesoftheOireachtas Commission Oireachtas Commission The Housesofthe Houses oftheOireachtas Governance Framework Assistant ofDáil Éireann. Commission underthenewAct, andtheClerk- Dáil Éireann, thefirstappointment madeby the In 2016,theCommissionappointed theClerkof whenever avacancy fallstobefilledintheseposts. or theCathaoirleachofSeanad,asappropriate, on therecommendation oftheCeannComhairle of theDáilandClerk-AssistantSeanad of theClerkSeanadÉireann, theClerk-Assistant provision fortheappointmentby theCommission open competition. This legislationalsomakes by Top Level AppointmentCommitteefollowing an the CeannComhairlefrom alistofnamesselected Clerk ofDáilÉireann ontherecommendation of Offices) Act2015,theCommissionappoints of theOireachtas Act(AppointmentstoCertain Under legislationenactedin2015,theHouses Oifigiúil/the OfficialStandard oftheIrishLanguage. publication andperiodicreview ofAnCaighdeán of Statutory InstrumentsintoIrishandthe the Commissionresponsibility forthetranslation In 2013,thelegislationwasamendedtogive thereby allowing ittobeupdatedasrequired. the adequacyofCommissionlegislation, toassess but alsoinaffording anopportunity useful notjustinfacilitatingfinancialplanning new Commissionbudgetevery three years is The requirement toprovide by statutefora the three-year period2016-2018. which provides theCommission’s budgetfor Oireachtas Commission(Amendment)Act2015 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report

Annual Report 2016 7 8 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report for managing the Service onaday-to-daybasis for managingthe Service Éireann. The Secretary General hasresponsibility Executive oftheCommissionandClerkDáil The Secretary istheChief General oftheService of theService GeneralThe Secretary andare paidby theCommission. political party employed directly by themembersorrelevant of 2016.Staff employed undertheSchemeare for Secretarial Assistance(theScheme)attheend posts, employed by membersundertheScheme There were 525staff, 439 full-time equivalent the Oireachtas Act1959andtheCommissionActs. statutorycode,theStaff oftheHouses service of employment are setdown inthegeneral civil (fulltime equivalents), whosetermsandconditions servants oftheState and40State industrialstaff Dáil/Secretary General. Itisstaffedby 485civil isheadedby theClerkof The Service of theHouses. Oireachtas andtheirCommitteestomembers facilities totheCommission,Housesof advice, procedural andadministrative and services bodythatprovidesis thepublicservice professional (theService) The HousesoftheOireachtas Service Oireachtas Service The Housesofthe through theparliamentarysystem. about Commissionpoliciesanddecisions valuable role incommunicatinginformation Commission membersdohowever carryouta or groups ortheirown interests atthisforum. capacity anddonotrepresent theirparties inacorporateCommission membersserve Commission meetingsasrequired. attend and otherseniormanagersoftheService Business Plans.ManagementCommitteemembers programmes setoutintheStrategic andCorporate the Commission,aswell asby thestrategies and to alarge extentby thepoliciesadoptedby decision asappropriate. Itsagendaisdriven may thenbereferred totheCommissionfor which operational andfinancialimportance The Committeedecidesonissuesofstrategic, under theCommissionActs2003to2015. General isdirectly accountabletotheCommission forwhichtheSecretary for managingtheService General incarryingoutthestatutoryresponsibility assist andadvisetheClerkofDáilSecretary The role oftheManagementCommittee(MC)isto of theService The ManagementCommittee Service. outcomes thatare inthebestinterest ofthe among Principal Officerswithafocusonachieving provides aforumforcooperation andcollaboration Service’s Principal OfficerNetwork. The Network by the The ManagementCommitteeissupported The Principal OfficerNetwork in respect ofCommissionexpenditure. its direction. S/heisalsotheAccountingOfficer while alsobeingaccountabletoitandsubject Secretary General isamemberoftheCommission, and forimplementingCommissionpolicies. The Patricia Doran, Principal Officer(Chairof People andFinancesub-Committee). Finnegan (Chairperson),Clerkof DáilÉireann andSecretary General, Mr. Groves, Martin ClerkofSeanadÉireann, Ms Ms ElaineGunn,AssistantSecretary, Division andClerk-AssistantofDáilÉireann, Parliamentary Mr. Services Peter Strategy sub-Committee), Mr. Michael Errity, Assistant Secretary, (Corporate and Members’ Seated left to right: Services). Officer (ChairofSystems sub-Committee),Mr. Paul Conway, Superintendentofthe Houses (ChairofBusinessand Standing lefttoright:Mr. MemberoftheManagementCommittee), Mr. Joe Hamill(External CharlesHearne,Principal Management CommitteeoftheHousesOireachtas Service Heydon andDeputyLouiseDeputy Martin O’Reilly Cathaoirleach ofSeanadÉireann (Deputy ChairpersonoftheCommission)andSenatorPaudie Coffey. Notpictured, Commission), DeputySeánÓFearghaíl, CeannComhairle(ChairpersonoftheCommission),SenatorDenisO’Donovan, Senator NedO’Sullivan, Mr. Peter Finnegan,ClerkofDáilÉireann andSecretary General (ChiefExecutive ofthe Seated lefttoright:Deputy Timmy Dooley, DeputyCatherineMurphy, SenatorGerard P. Craughwell, DeputyJoeCarey, Houses oftheOireachtas Commission Annual Report 2016 Annual Report

Annual Report 2016 9 Annual Report 2016

Role of the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission

10

The role of the Commission under the Houses of The Commission operates on the general the Oireachtas Commission Acts 2003 to 2015 is principle that it seeks to support the Houses to provide for the running of the Houses of the and all members equally in carrying out their Oireachtas, to act as the governing body of the role as elected representatives. Members of Service, to consider and determine policy in relation the Commission (excluding ex officio members) to the Service, and to oversee the implementation qualify for an annual allowance. The Minister’s of that policy by the Secretary General. representative qualifies for an allowance if s/he is not a serving Minister of State. The founding Commission legislation in 2003 led to two important consequences: The Commission provides services to the (i) the Commission became the sanctioning 218 members of both Houses of the Oireachtas authority for expenditure, and for deciding on and to the staff in their employment. It also staff numbers, provision of services and related provides services for Departmental officials, matters (this authority formerly rested with the party staff, media and service personnel for Department of Finance); and (ii) the system for whom Leinster House is a place of work. Annual Report 2016 the allocation of budgets to the Houses of the The legislation sets out the functions Oireachtas changed from the annual civil service of the Commission, including to: Estimates and “Vote” process to the provision of n oversee ongoing expenditure by the Houses a three-year budget drawn from the Central Fund. A new budget is set in legislation every three years n keep annual accounts following negotiations with the Department of n pay salaries and expenses of members, Public Expenditure and Reform. The budget is their staff and the staff of the Service approved at political level by the Commission and n perform functions in relation to civil service the necessary amending legislation then passed by staff of the Commission both Houses. The Commission’s current three-year n produce and publish strategic plans, budget allocation is €369 million for the period annual reports, annual estimates, and 2016 to 2018. produce handbooks and information relevant to the business of the Houses of the Oireachtas for members of the Houses n provide translation services in respect of Acts of the Oireachtas and Statutory Instruments prepare andpublishguidelinesformemberson n exercise certain functions previously exercise exercised certain n exercise certain legalfunctions,including exercise certain n appointtheClerkofDáilon n appointtheClerkofSeanad,Clerk-Assistant n appointstaffatspecified seniormanagement n setstaffpay, conditionsorpensions n setmembers’ salariesorallowances n The Commissiondoesnothave authorityto: Matters outsidetheRemit oftheCommission control ormanageanybuildingworks –this n a dissolutionoftheDáil and specifycharges forsamefollowing andfacilities, the useofpubliclyfundedservices design facilities and theprovision ofICT, printingandgraphic Scheme forSecretarial Assistanceformembers example, theallocationofresources underthe for facilities formembersandqualifyingparties, by theMinisterforFinanceregarding secretarial and arranging fortheprovision oflegaladvice inlegalproceedings asappropriate participation an opencompetitionorganised by TLAC Level following AppointmentsCommittee(TLAC), among thelistofnamesselectedby the Top recommendation oftheCeannComhairlefrom Cathaoirleach, asappropriate the recommendation oftheCeannComhairleor of theDáilandClerk-AssistantSeanadon Public Expenditure andReform level, withouttheconsentofMinister for grades, namely, atorabove Principal Officer1 and Offices forallGovernmentWorks (OPW) Departments function iscarriedoutby theOfficeof Public Commission members, intheircapacityas As membersoftheHouses theOireachtas, compliance, informationand administration. responsibility, integrity, loyalty, commitment, The principlesonwhichtheCodeisbasedare: individually, inperformingtheirfunctions. conduct ofitsmembers,bothcollectively and which establishesethicalstandards toguidethe The Commissionisgoverned by aCodeofConduct Code ofConductforCommissionMembers of InformationAct. website. The CommissionissubjecttotheFreedom meeting agendaandminutesare publishedonthe plan andrelated policymatters. The Commission’s Oireachtas committeesinrespect ofitsstrategic the findingsofpublicauditandtorelevant the CommitteeofPublic AccountsofDáilÉireann for March eachyear. The Commissionisaccountableto Comptroller andAuditorGeneral forauditingby 31 Secretary General, submitsitsaccountstothe year.particular The Commission,through the of publicfundsfortherunningHouses and members,aswell asaccountingforexpenditure theHouses insupporting carried outby theService carried outby membersoftheHousesandwork providesThe annualreport information onthework before bothHousesandpublishedonthewebsite. eachyear whichislaid It publishesanannualreport the Oireachtas intheperformanceofitsfunctions. The CommissionisaccountabletotheHousesof Transparency andAccountability Management Committee. the responsibility oftheSecretary General andthe the day-to-daymanagementofService. This is In addition,theCommissiondoesnothave arole in Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 11 Annual Report 2016 12 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report Commissionmembersmustdiscloseany n the EthicsinPublic OfficeActs: compliance withthegeneral requirements under Under theCodeofConduct,andinadditionto Disclosure ofInterests by CommissionMembers Office Commission. of theCommissionandtoStandards inPublic statement oftheirregistrable interests totheChair members are alsorequired toprovide anannual Directors undertheEthicsActs,Commission by DáilÉireann andSeanadÉireann. AsDesignated Conduct adoptedinaccordance withtheEthicsActs Deputies andSenators,are boundby theCodesof amaterialinterest arisesiftheconsequenceor n where suchaninterest hasbeendisclosed,the n Commission matters concerningthefunctionsof consideration atameeting,orotherwisein person mayhave inanymatterunder material interest thattheyoranyconnected which thememberbelongs having regard toallthecircumstances andto class ofpersonswhichisasignificantsize or withholdingitfrom personsingeneral ora significant benefitwithoutalsoconferringiton on, orwithholdfrom, thememberconcerneda effect ofanydecisiononthemattermayconfer decision orvote inconnectionwithsuch matter inany the proceedings andshallnotparticipate in part member concernedshalltakenofurther ifamemberisindoubtastowhetheraninterest n Committee onAccommodation. the establishmentofOireachtas and asub TV) a sub-CommitteeonCommunications(tooversee Commission establishedtwosuchsub-Committees: carrying outitsresponsibilities. Inthe31stDáil sub-Committees asnecessarytoassistitin VII. The Commissionmayalsoestablishad-hoc the AuditCommittee2016canbefoundinAppendix basis. of The annualreport meet onaquarterly Commission’s FinanceandAuditCommittees are publishedonthewebsite.reports The annuallytotheCommission andits It reports Oireachtas Commission(Amendment)Act2009. basis pursuanttosection10oftheHouses The AuditCommitteeisestablishedonastatutory audit) andvalue formoney. function andmattersidentifiedby external internal controls (includingtheinternalaudit which oversees andadvisesonriskmanagement, Commission forapproval; andanAuditCommittee, andsubmitsthemtothe financialreports quarterly committees: aFinanceCommittee,whichconsiders The Commissionhastwokeystandingadvisory Committees oftheCommission approved. published onthewebsite oftheHouseswhen minutes ofCommissionmeetingswhichare All disclosures ofinterest are recorded inthe soon aspossibleafterthereceipt oftheadvice if required, thedisclosure shouldbemadeas from theChairpersonofCommissionand, should bedisclosed,advicesought theChairmanofDáilÉireann (exofficiomember) n The Commissionconsistsof11membersasfollows: Membership oftheCommission theChairmanofSeanadÉireann n theSecretary General oftheHouses n onememberoftheHousesOireachtas n fourordinary membersappointed n three ordinary membersappointed n (Chairperson oftheCommission) (ex officiomember)(DeputyChairperson) (Chief Executive oftheCommission) (exofficiomember) of theOireachtas Service and Reform (“theMinister’s representative”) appointed by theMinisterforPublic Expenditure by DáilÉireann by SeanadÉireann eao e ’ulvnSeanadmember Senator NedO’Sullivan Seanadmember Dáilmember Senator Gerard P. Craughwell Senator Paudie Coffey Dáilmember Deputy Louise O’Reilly Deputy CatherineMurphy Deputy Timmy Dooley Minister’s Deputy JoeCarey Heydon Deputy Martin of theService Secretary General Mr. Peter Finnegan Cathaoirleach oftheSeanad Senator DenisO’Donovan, Ceann Comhairle Deputy SeánÓFearghaíl, Current MembershipoftheCommission Seanad member Dáil member Dáil member representative ex officiomember Chief Executive ex officiomember Deputy Chairperson ex officiomember Chairperson Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 13 Annual Report 2016 14 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report Members ofthe25thSeanad. Year inReview 2016 44,942Parliamentary Questionstabled n 22Billspassedby theHouses n 121Billsinitiatedinthe Houses n The parliamentarybusinessincluded: Parliamentary Business held323committeemeetingsover 729 n Committees oftheHouses 62Seanadsittingsover 349sittinghours n 91Dáilsittingsover 772sittinghours n The Housessatforacombinedtotalof153days: and meetingsofCommitteestheHouses fortheSittingsofHouses Support 1,823hoursofparliamentarydebate n the HousesandtheirCommittees, comprised: oftheproceedings of The officialreport oftheParliamentary ProceedingsOfficial Report 281 Topical Issuesselected fordebateintheDáil n presented 33 reports totheHouses: presented 33reports n heard from 992witnesses n u u u for reply by membersoftheGovernment sitting hours and 44,942Parliamentary Questions 2financialscrutinyreports scrutinyreports/political 6EU 25policyreports contributions to the EU Institutions contributions totheEU theestablishmentofa DáilBusinessCommittee n including: and manywere implementedover thepastyear, and practices whichwere approved by theHouse series ofproposals forreform ofDáilprocedures The sub-CommitteeonDáilReform presented a Dáil Reform Programme ballot ofallmemberstheDáil were elected,forthefirsttime,basedonasecret The CeannComhairleandLeas-Cheann Comhairle Cheann Comhairle First ElectionoftheCeannComhairleandLeas- the Seanad). of theDáil);42newSenators(representing 70%of 2016 elections:60newDeputies(representing 38% 102 newmembersjoinedtheHousesfollowing the New MembersoftheHouses and makearrangements foritsown business giving responsibility tothe Houseitselftoplan Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 15 Annual Report 2016 16 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report theestablishmentofaBudgetOversight n theintroduction ofpostponeddivisionsuntil n provision formore thanone‘technicalgroup’ to n ameanstohave abstentionsfrom avote inthe n rearrangement ofthesittingdaytominimise n anexpandedrole fortheOfficeof n anincrease inthenumber of n Houses were implemented,including: Reforms totheCommitteesystemin Reform oftheCommitteeSystem areduction inthemembershipofCommittees n CommitteeChairsallocated based n establishmentoftwonewStanding Committees n Budget Office work by theestablishmentofaParliamentary inits budgetary cycle, whichwillbesupported Committee toenhancescrutinyoftheannual the ‘weekly divisiontime’ greater share ofparliamentarysetpieces tohave a independents andsmallparties be establishedunderStanding Orders allowing Dáil included in the official record of proceedings meetings conflict between plenarysittingsandcommittee considered by theHouses advice asrequired onlegislationbeing in drafting legislation,andtheprovision of provision ofassistancetobackbenchmembers Parliamentary Legal Advisertoincludethe Sectoral Committees(from 9to13) (from arange of15-24members to11members) on theD’Hondtsystem on BudgetaryOversight andthe IslandsandtheCommittee Gaeltacht – theCommitteeonIrishLanguage , establishmentofSpecialCommitteeson n afulldecantofGeorgian Leinster House n the sittingsofHouses,including: to ensure theworkwillhave minimalimpacton was advanced andmeasures were implemented The Georgian Leinster Housestructural project Georgian Leinster HouseStructural Project public debate. the Housesandproviding inputintothe further European Unionwithaviewtoinformingdebatein implications oftheUK’s withdrawal from the academia toreflect onthethemeeconomic business sector, thetrade unionmovement and representatives ofthe of theHouses,IrishMEPs, Ceann Comhairleandbrought togethermembers Committee. The Symposium waschaired by the took placeundertheauspicesofBusiness A Symposium onEuropean UnionAffairs European UnionAffairs Parliamentary Symposium on for businesstakenintheHouse. Dáil itselfresponsibility formakingarrangements Government andOppositionmembers,givingthe chaired by theCeannComhairleandcomprising The DáilestablishedaBusinessCommittee, Dáil BusinessCommittee Funding ofDomestic Water) Services Budgetary ScrutinyandCommitteeonFuture Homelessness; CommitteeonArrangements for Healthcare; CommitteeonHousingand issues (in2016,theCommitteeonFuture of oremerging importance subjects ofparticular the House locatedin staff andcore parliamentaryservices accommodation forOireachtas Office-holders, and theprovision ofappropriate alternative provision ofappropriate alternative temporary n organised accommodationmoves andoffice n members, staffandvisitorstotheHouses: Works toenhanceandimprove to services of projects incooperation withtheOfficeofPublic Facilities ManagementUnitadvanced anumber Facilities Management Office Accommodationand completedfit-outworkinthebasementof n implementednewentrance andexit n implementedanenhanced visitormanagement n expandedelectronic accesscontrols n parliamentary functions to Senatorsintheperformanceoftheir disruption tothebusinessofSeanadand essential workisunderwaytoensure minimal National MuseumofIreland whiletheurgent accommodation fortheSeanadChamberin Elections and theirstafffollowing the2016General fornewandreturning members services support restoration workstotheHouse of theprogramme ofstructural and Georgian Leinster Housefortheduration which hasalsofacilitatedthedecantof personnelandParliamentary Ushers service 1966 blocktoprovide newaccommodationfor people enteringtheparliamentaryprecinct area toenhancesecurityandmovement of arrangements attheKildare Street reception system visitor booking,registration andidentification system through theintroduction ofan electronic to officeareas reviewed businesscontinuityanddisaster n virtual desktop environment, leadingtoICT avirtual n members’ needs,delivering: evolving requirements oftheHousesandtomeet withthe The ICT Unitcontinuedtoalignitsservices Information andCommunications Technology anAbstentionsDatabasetoallow therecording n resulting in aManagedPrint Service n thetransfer, renewal androll outofICT n anICTEnterpriseArchitecture toensure n efficiency were advanced, including: theworkofHousesandtoincrease support development ofICT systemsandapplicationsto to implementanintegrated approach tothe focused onharnessingadvances intechnologies work oftheHouses,aprogramme ofICT projects, Building ontheICT the initiatives supporting Programme ofICT Projects the HousesandtheirCommittees thesittingsof atalltimestosupport services recovery planningtoensure continuityofcritical access tothenetworkanywhere onanydevice greater flexibilityandmobilitythrough allowing cost savings,enhancedsecurityofdata,and from voting ataDivisionintheDáil of abstentionswhenmemberschoosetoabstain cost savingsandincreased efficiencies to theService provider,external ICT service resulting insavings a taskthatwaspreviously outsourced toan equipment intheperiodafterelections, the Housesand members theworkof most efficientwayinsupporting inthe and applicationstodeliver services consistent standards ofdata,infrastructure Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 17 Annual Report 2016 18 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report aTechnology intheChambersProject to n aBusinessProcess MappingandImprovement n aDataRepository, Extract, Transform, Load and n Advisory Committee. Aistriúcháin withtheassistance ofanexpert carried outundertheresponsibility ofRannóg an Oifigiúil waspublishedinJuly2016. The review was Irish language)wascompletedandAnCaighdeán Oifigiúil (theofficialstandard grammar forthe ofAnCaighdeán The statutoryreview undertaken An CaighdeánOifigiúil through Irishinanaccessiblemanner. thedelivery ofservices Aistriúcháin, supported Language Scheme,managedby Rannóg an Irish The HousesoftheOireachtas Service Irish LanguageScheme Houses oftheOireachtas Service 11,290callsfrom membersandtheirstaff n and 7,081callsfrom thestaffofService, n In 2016,theICT helpdesksprovided for: support ICT HelpdeskSupport n Committee Rooms Chambers ofbothHousesandinthe modernise thetechnicalsystemsin services to support theworkofHouses tosupport services Project toenableamore efficientdelivery of engagement withtheHouses. enhanceaccessibilityandpublic to further online accesstoparliamentaryinformationand redevelopment ofthewebsite toprovide easier information by systemsandbusinessunits through efficientstorage andre-use of Discovery Project toimprove delivery service responded to2,052informationand n The Library andResearch Service: Parliamentary Library andResearch in2016. Service procurement by the processes undertaken Procurement Unitprovided for44 support procedures andstatutoryobligations. The ensure compliancewithprocurement rules, to assistance ofanexternalprocurement expert and latestdevelopments were delivered withthe Information seminarsoncurrent bestpractice apublicprocurement process.staff undertaking for public procurement adviceandsupport The Procurement Unitcontinuedtoprovide Public Procurement Management Parliamentary Legal Adviser. transferred from theBillsOfficetoof of thelegislative formemberswas drafting service of Dáilreform, responsibility fortheadministration Arising from implementationoftheprogramme in2016. the OPLA Committees. There were 335newfilesopenedby were in response toadvicesoughtby Parliamentary and16% response toadvicesoughtby theService provided 517legaladvicesofwhich84%were in The Office of the Parliamentary Legal Adviser (OPLA) Parliamentary Legal Services published26BillsDigestswhichprovided n completed71Committeeresearch requests n staff of the Service andotherparliaments staff oftheService research requests from members,Committees, debates onBills assist theminpreparing forsecondstage members withauthoritative information to created 43newonlineBill Tracker pages n published307blogpoststoinformmembersof n launchedapilotLibrary andResearch n provided tosixJoint research support n prepared jointresearch paperswiththeresearch n provided forthedevelopment ofa support n 2,071documentswere laidbefore theHouses n Documents laidbefore theHouses requests processed in2015,whichwas176 (FOI) requests, anincrease of33%onthenumber processed 234FreedomThe Service ofInformation Freedom ofInformation Documentslaidbefore theHouses are publicly n the Government’s Legislative Programme media coverage onproposed legislationlistedin containing available publishedmaterialand information related toPrivate Members’ Bills new andtopicalpublications,manycovering Census 2011dataforeachDáilconstituency visual andinteractive meansofdisplayingkey offeringa Constituency Dashboards service of seven General SchemesofBills Committees intheirpre-legislative scrutiny South Inter-Parliamentary Association theplenarysessionofNorth/ to support Ireland Assembly(RaISe) oftheNorthern service Records ManagementPolicy fortheService on theofficialpublicrecord presented informationonavariety ofmatters by government andbodies,which departments available onthewebsite oftheHouses 221memberswhoreceived thePRAin2015 n a competitive tenderprocess: an independentauditorselectedfollowing Allowance (PRA)wasconductedin2016by The sixthauditofthePublic Representation Public Representation Allowance Independent AuditofMembers’ utilisation ofthesystemforstockmanagement. enhancements are plannedfor2017including ofsalesinformation.Further efficient reporting The systemhassupported of salessystem(EPOS). enhanced by theintroduction ofanelectronic point delivery inthecatering facilitieswasfurther Service intheHouses Catering Services Leinster House. over inguidedtoursof 52,000visitorsparticipated Visitor numberstotheHousesexceeded 100,000; Visitors totheHouses aninformationseminarwasconductedby the n feedbackfrom members ontheinformation n oneinformation noteandbriefingpaper n fourinternalauditreports n and considered: The AuditCommitteemeton fouroccasions Internal AuditOversight 22 members(10%)forauditby random sample were auditablein2016andtheauditorselected of theprocess independent auditorpriortothecommencement this service members willhelptoinformandimprove was very positive. Ongoing feedbackfrom seminar regarding itsusefulness andrelevance Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 19 Annual Report 2016 20 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report to Ireland, H.E.Dr. GintsApals. O’Donovan, meetingwiththeLatvianAmbassador Cathaoirleach ofSeanadÉireann, SenatorDenis onthe2015Accounts theC&AG Report n a report from theC&AG areport ontheCistePinsean n Irishlanguagecourses n Healthandwell-being seminars n HealthandSafetycourses n SocialMedia n MS Word andMSExcel n Lotus Notes n ConstituentsDatabasetraining n and theirstaff, including: members and informationseminarstosupport The Training Unitcontinuedtoprovide training Training forMembersandPolitical Personnel tworiskmaterialisationreports n ontheupdatedFixed AssetsPolicy areport n from theRiskCommittee areport n of theHousesOireachtas Commission Account 2015 Thewebsite oftheHousesreceived almost1.5 n n n Programmes produced by Oireachtas TV included: in January2016. A newBroadcast Managerwasappointed parliamentary proceedings to98%ofthecountry. of theChannelandlive broadcasting ofthe whichhasexpandedcoveragetelevision service, Oireachtas TV beganbroadcasting ontheSaorview Communications Strategy Implementation Awebsite redevelopment project currently n the architectural heritageofLeinster House Leaguethe influenceofGaelic in1916;and social conditionsin1916;thewomenof1916; up toandtheaftermathof1916Rising; themesofthe1916Rising:lead on particular featuring academicsandcommentatorsfocusing Leinster HouseHistorical Talks Series referendum) parliamentary positions;andBrexit (post- of theD’HondtSystem fortheallocationof Reform; Brexit (pre-referendum); theapplication Representation; theRole ofParliament; Dáil in theparliamentarysystem:Proportional discussions by academicsonkeydevelopments Oireachtas TV Debatesseriesfeaturing Committees attracted over 2millionpageviews parliamentary debatesintheHousesand over thecourseofyear. Live streams of million visitsandover 6.3millionpageviews is dueforrelease inearly 2017 parliamentary information. The newwebsite of thewebsite toenhanceonlineaccess underway isfocusedonacompleterevision directed theworkofElectionPlanning n Services: HR in theService, oftheelectionplanningprocess In support for the32nd Dáiland25th Seanad General ElectionPlanningandImplementation parliamentaryevents. important public ontheparliamentaryproceedings andother to present timelyanduptodateinformationthe Communications Unitandwasusedeffectively The Twitter accountismaintainedby the followers, anincrease of3,800followers in2016. @OireachtasNews, grew tomore than23,800 The official Twitter accountfortheHouses, Social MediaCommunication organised theMemberLiaisonOfficer n publishedinformationresources formembers n workedwiththeICT Unitonthedevelopment n undertook resource planningtoensure undertook that n related responsibilities across theService Steering Group andcoordinated election- during theirfirstweeks inLeinster House to anewmemberoftheHousesassistthem wasassigned member ofstafftheService Programme underwhichanexperienced and services intheHousesofOireachtas and services handbooks andinformationonprocesses including dissolutionguidelines,members’ members andtoavoid duplicationofwork streamline requests forinformation from of theMembers’ Administration System to subsequent electionstoboth Houses from the dissolutionofthe31stDáiland place tomanagetheincreased workloadarising had thenecessarystaffin sections intheService reviewed implementationoftheelection n HealthandSafetytraining including n Performance Management Workshops n CoachingforManagers n JuniorClerkdevelopment course n ClericalOfficerdevelopment course n include: Key training andlearninginitiatives provided Training forStaff oftheService aninternalCommunicationsPlandrafted in n and Reform include: implementation ofOrganisational Development Key tosupport initiatives undertaken Organisational Development andReform Irishlanguagecourses n Inductiontraining programmes fornewstaff n Healthand Well-being seminars n improvements totheService’s intranet, n support forStaff Networks:the PONetwork, support n planning intheService planning process toguidefuture election Fire Warden training and occupational firstaid,AED/CPR, focus groups consultations withstaffthrough aseriesof user-friendliness oftheIntranet The Plinth,toenhancetheefficiencyand speakers received presentations from invitedguest meetings andevents throughout theyear and Officer/Senior ClerkNetwork,heldanumberof AP NetworkandAnLíonra, theHigherExecutive Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 21 Annual Report 2016 22 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report Civil Service Renewal Plan actionsundertheCivilService n theReform andStrategy Unitdirected n updatedandpublishedanewinformation n forMembers Services HR prepared thedraft statutoryinstrumentfor n added employees of members and parties addedemployees ofmembersandparties n provided adviceonemployment matters n transferred ministerialstafftothe n processed redundancy applicationsfollowing n to staffthrough theStaff Networks Employee EngagementSurvey first CivilService included thedisseminationofresults ofthe and Delivery PlanfortheService implementation oftheIntegrated Reform new employment contracts for Members,anewEmployer Handbookand booklet ontheSchemeforSecretarial Assistance to coordinators oftechnicalgroups including theprovision ofadditionalfacilities secretarial facilitiestomembersandparties, enactment by theCommissiontoprovide from thebeginningof32ndDáil Secretarial AssistanceforMemberswitheffect government departments to payroll andmanagedstafftransfers from of employment including adviceontermsandconditions the DáilandSeanadelections Scheme for underspend of€15m(11%). in 2016was€116mgross, representing an the Housesfor2016was€131m.Actualexpenditure The annualestimateforongoingexpenditure by Management ofFinancialResources Print Facility. staff were and employed intheCateringServices parliamentary business.Inaddition,atotalof40 and reflecting thecontinuedhighlevels of implementation oftheprogramme ofDáilreform filled, anincrease of50staffon2015tosupport ofwhich450were postsintheService civil service At theendof2016there were 485sanctioned Management ofHumanResources the pastyear. the HousesandParliamentary Committeesin on thenumberofsittingdaysandbusiness and theensuingelectionstobothHousesimpacted The dissolutionofDáilÉireann on3February 2016 to bothHousesin2016 of DáilÉireann andelections Impact ofthedissolution 12 months. 2015-2016 parliamentarysession,approximately related toeitherthe2016calendaryear orthe each parliament.Dataobtainedfrom parliaments request. Notalldatawasavailable(ECPRD) from for Parliamentary Research andDocumentation following thesubmissionofaEuropean Centre Most oftheinformationgathered wasobtained by parliamentarycontactsin otherjurisdictions. a variety ofsources andthrough facilitated surveys were collectedthrough desk-basedresearch from internationalkeystatistics compiling thereport, Australia, Canada,NewZealand In andtheUS. the ScottishParliament andtheparliamentsof of theEuropean Union,theEuropean Parliament, gathered from theparliamentsof27MemberStates isbasedoninformation This benchmarkingreport of thisreport General methodology Comparative BenchmarkingofParliaments the fourth-highest numberofsittinghours thefourth-highest n detailed below. The HousesoftheOireachtas has: Overall are findingsofthebenchmarkingreport Headline Statistics thethird-highest numberofparliamentary n theeighth-highestnumberofvisitorsto n where an ECPRD replywhere wasnotreceived. anECPRD relevant website AnnualReport/parliamentary parliament anddatawasalsosourced from the parliaments. Notalldatawasavailable from each refersparliaments andUC tounicameral In thefollowing graphs, refers BC tobicameral Notes: in 2016of21parliaments questions permember and thehighestnumberofparliamentary questions tabledannuallyacross 21parliaments out of21parliamentssurveyed parliament asapercentage ofpopulation Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 23 Annual Report 2016 24 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report In 2016theHousesofOireachtas saton153days. Sittings oftheHouses Comparative BenchmarkingofParliaments New Zealand(UC) Parliament (UC) Lithuania (UC) Germany (BC) Australia (BC) Scotland (UC) Romania (BC) Portugal (UC) Slovenia (BC) Hungary (UC) Belgium (BC) Sweden (UC) Estonia (UC) Canada (BC) Finland (UC) Croatia (UC) Austria (BC) Ireland (BC) Greece (UC) Latvia (UC) Spain (BC) European UK (BC) US (BC) 5 90 111 268 289 80 205 60 58 153 43 134 72 196 96 59 95 129 120 82 154 48 102 60 Number ofParliamentSittingDays 55 0 5 0 5 305 255 205 155 105 In 2016theHousesofOireachtas satforatotalof1,121hours. Sittings oftheHouses Comparative BenchmarkingofParliaments New Zealand(UC) Parliament (UC) Lithuania (UC) Germany (BC) Australia (BC) Scotland (UC) Portugal (UC) Slovenia (BC) Hungary (UC) Belgium (BC) Sweden (UC) Estonia (UC) Finland (UC) Croatia (UC) Austria (BC) Ireland (BC) Greece (UC) Latvia (UC) Spain (BC) European UK (BC) US (BC) 0 969 2,091 530 480 266 1,121 390 498 622 585 901 652 529 393 1,315 427 533 128 541 702 354 Number ofParliamentSittingHours 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 25 Annual Report 2016 26 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report on average, compared withtheaverage of42Parliamentary Questionsinthissurvey. which thequestionswere tabled,shows thatDáilÉireann had284Parliamentary Questionspermember, Comparing thenumberofParliamentary Questionstabledwiththenumberofmembers Housein Questions Parliamentary Slovak Republic(UC) Comparative BenchmarkingofParliaments New Zealand(UC) Parliament (UC) Germany (BC) Australia (BC) Scotland (UC) Romania (BC) Portugal (UC) Slovenia (BC) Hungary (UC) Belgium (BC) Sweden (UC) Estonia (UC) Canada (BC) Finland (UC) Croatia (UC) Austria (BC) Ireland (BC) Greece (UC) Spain (BC) European UK (BC) 0 20 22 22 12 284 44 3 24 4 78 6 38 2 5 2 139 27 32 9 43 64 Number ofParliamentaryQuestionsperMember 50 0 5 0 5 300 250 200 150 100 in thisstudy. There were 44,942Parliamentary QuestionstabledinDáilÉireann compared withtheaverage of12,559 Questions Parliamentary Slovak Republic(UC) Comparative BenchmarkingofParliaments New Zealand(UC) Parliament (UC) Germany (BC) Australia (BC) Scotland (UC) Romania (BC) Portugal (UC) Slovenia (BC) Hungary (UC) Belgium (BC) Sweden (UC) Estonia (UC) Canada (BC) Finland (UC) Croatia (UC) Austria (BC) Ireland (BC) Greece (UC) Spain (BC) European UK (BC) 00 00 00 00 00 60000 50000 40000 30000 20000 10000 0 16,735 4,033 46,819 3,080 31,616 13,469 4,367 501 1,958 15,476 284 4,112 1,622 44,942 5,645 420 7,104 371 49,406 3,027 8,749 Number ofParliamentaryQuestionsTabled Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 27 Annual Report 2016 28 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report There were 103,848visitorstotheHousesofOireachtas in2016. Visitors totheHouses Slovak Republic(UC) Comparative BenchmarkingofParliaments New Zealand(UC) Parliament (UC) Lithuania (UC) Germany (BC) Australia (BC) Scotland (UC) Romania (BC) Portugal (UC) Slovenia (BC) Hungary (UC) Belgium (BC) Sweden (UC) Estonia (UC) Canada (BC) Finland (UC) Croatia (UC) Austria (BC) Ireland (BC) Greece (UC) Spain (BC) European UK (BC) US (BC) 0 91,000 725,992 2,000,000 489,769 17,568 346,000 77,003 596,379 39,227 69,648 138,889 16,432 103,848 82,365 1,610,664 252,661 593,865 29,151 2,216,416 165,847 45,670 33,861 16,253 0001000100020002500000 2000000 1500000 1000000 500000 Number ofVisitors There were 22Billspassedby theHousesin2016. Number ofBillspassedbytheHousesin2016 Slovak Republic(UC) Comparative BenchmarkingofParliaments New Zealand(UC) Parliament (UC) Lithuania (UC) Germany (BC) Australia (BC) Scotland (UC) Romania (BC) Portugal (UC) Slovenia (BC) Hungary (UC) Bulgaria (UC) Belgium (BC) Sweden (UC) Estonia (UC) Canada (BC) Finland (UC) Croatia (UC) Austria (BC) Ireland (BC) Greece (UC) Latvia (UC) Spain (BC) European UK (BC) US (BC) 0 102 133 128 14 210 230 880 152 126 56 140 146 22 29 37 30 109 220 96 141 279 254 46 158 740 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1000 900 800 700 600 500 400 300 200 100 Number ofActs Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 29 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 2016

30

Our Vision A Parliament for the People

Our Mission To provide high quality parliamentary services to the Houses of the Oireachtas, their Committees, their Members, and to the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission

Our Values Leadership

Annual Report 2016 Integrity and Impartiality Excellence Accountability Accessibility of theCommissionActs. presented tobothHousesoftheOireachtas inaccordance withsection6 ontheactivitiesofCommissionincluded intheannualreport annually totheCommission. The Secretary General’s progress is report present aprogress ontheimplementationofStrategic report Plan Section 16(1)(k)oftheCommissionActsrequires the Secretary General to of theOireachtas CommissionActs2003-2015(theActs). ispreparedThis report inaccordance withsection16(1)(k)oftheHouses 2016-2018 Commission onImplementationoftheStrategic Plan General’sSecretary AnnualProgress Report tothe Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 31 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 2016

Progress under four Strategic Initiatives:

32 Strategic Objective 1: Support the Houses of the Oireachtas and the Parliamentary Reform Agenda Office-Holders, Chairpersons and Members receive high quality advice and support services.

Goal 1: The sittings of the Houses and their Committees are continuously and effectively supported

Overview of services provided and achievements in support of this strategic goal: Pat the Cope Gallagher TD was elected as Leas-Cheann Annual Report 2016 Comhairle of the 32nd Dáil based on a secret ballot Houses and Committee Business of members of the Dáil.

The Houses sat for a combined total of 153 sitting days, 1,121 sitting hours, in 2016: The Dáil sat on 91 days and the Seanad sat on 62 days. The Parliamentary Committees held 323 meetings over 729 sitting hours.

Sittings of the Houses and their Committees

91 Dáil sitting days (772 sitting hours)

62 Seanad sitting days (349 sitting hours) Senator Paul Coghlan was elected Leas-Chathaoirleach 323 Committee meetings (729 sitting hours) of the 25th Seanad. divisions intheDáil. in thee-voting system.In2016,there were 147 divisions, andrecording theresults ofdivisions to theClerksinChamberfor“list”or“manual” Chamber. This involves theprovision ofassistance the administration ofthedivisionsinDáil The role oftheJournalOfficealsoincludes conducted eachdayintheDáil. procedural briefingnotesonthebusinesstobe Dáil andtheClerks.Itprepares materialforthedaily Comhairle, Leas-Cheann Comhairle,membersofthe of theDáil,provides procedural advicetotheCeann The JournalOffice,underthedirection oftheClerk all businessitemsfortheOrder Paper. notices ofmotionsandupdatingthestatus drafting procedural motions, printing and circulating they complywithStanding Orders, assistingin all motionsandamendmentstoensure including SupplementaryOrder Papers, examining sitting hours,producing thedailyOrder Paper, providing for92sittingdaysand253 support business ofDáilÉireann. In2016thisinvolved administrative forthesittingsand support The JournalOfficeprovides procedural and the JournalOffice forSittingsandBusinessoftheDáil– Support 147 andadvice with secretariat support Privileges and25 Dáil Businessmeetingsprovided 7 MeetingsoftheCommitteeonProcedure and 35 SupplementaryOrder Papers produced 91 Order Papers produced (totalling1,967 pages) Journal Office Goal 1: The sittingsoftheHousesandtheirCommitteesare continuouslyandeffectively supported Dáil divisions (votes) recorded by the Journal Office bill procedure intheHouses. Office forthepurposeofadministeringprivate The SeanadOfficealsooperates asthePrivate Bill maintains theStanding Orders oftheHouse. presiding over sittingsoftheHouse.Itdrafts and advice andby assistingtheminpreparing forand temporary chairpersonsby providing procedural Cathaoirleach, theLeas-Chathaoirleach and the of theHouse. The SeanadOfficesupports course ofproceedings andmaintainingrecords producing procedural materialsusedinthe business ofSeanadÉireann. This involves administrative forthesittingsand support The SeanadOfficeprovides procedural and Seanad Éireann –theSeanad Office forSittingsandBusinessof Support addressed SeanadÉireann on29November 2016. First MinisterofScotland,MsNicolaSturgeon MSP, 78 Seanaddivisions(votes) recorded Privileges provided and advice with secretariat support 8 MeetingsoftheCommitteeonProcedure and 62 SeanadOrder Papers produced 349 Seanadsittinghours 62 Seanadsittingdays Seanad Office Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 33 Annual Report 2016 34 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report Services The Committee on theFuture Funding ofDomestic Water The CommitteeonHousingandHomelessness. The CommitteeontheFuture ofHealthcare. The CommitteeonBudgetaryOversight. Goal 1: The sittingsoftheHousesandtheirCommitteesare continuouslyandeffectively supported three DáilSelectStanding Committees n policy analysisandadministrative to: support Secretariat provided ongoingprocedural advice, the 32ndDáiland25thSeanad,Committees’ theCommitteesestablishedin In supporting forpresentation totheHouses. reports assisted theCommitteesindrafting 25policy Council andCommission. The Secretariat also which were submittedto theEuropean Parliament, proposals anddrafting three Political Contributions the sectoral Committeesinconsidering50EU sitting hours. The Secretariat provided for support meetings whichheard from 992witnessesover 729 Secretariat provided for323committee support Over thecourseof2016,Committees’ future developments intheCommitteesystem. of theHouses,andtoplanmakeprovision for totheCommittees administrative services support high quality, procedural advice,policy analysisand The role oftheCommittees’ Secretariat istoprovide the Committees’ Secretariat fortheParliamentary Committees–Support oneSeanadSelectStanding Committee n twoJointStanding Committees[Public Petitions n 13JointCommitteeswhich shadow government n twoJointCommitteeswithspecificsubject n Éireann] Oversight; andMembers’ Interests ofDáil [Committee ofPublic Accounts;Budgetary [Members’ Interests ofSeanadÉireann] and Irish Language, Gaeltacht andtheIslands] and IrishLanguage,Gaeltacht Committees”) (generally referred toasthe“Sectoral withassociatedSelectCommittees departments Agreement andEuropean UnionAffairs] area remits [ImplementationoftheGoodFriday fourSpecialCommittees[theSelectCommittee n the parliamentary committeesystem. in theMansion Housewithintheframework of Symposium tookplaceon22September2016 withdrawal from theEuropean Union. The the EconomicImplicationsfor Ireland oftheUK’s Symposium onEuropean UnionAffairstoconsider The BusinessCommitteeproposed theholdingofa European UnionAffairs Parliamentary Symposium on Committee. took placeundertheauspicesofDáilBusiness Symposium onEuropean UnionAffairs. The symposium oneinterimCommittee[theStanding Order 112 n the North/South Inter-Parliamentary theNorth/South n theBritish-IrishParliamentary Assembly(BIPA) n the Working Group ofCommittee n Goal 1: The sittingsoftheHousesandtheirCommitteesare continuouslyandeffectively supported on Arrangements forBudgetaryScrutiny] and Homelessness;theSelectCommittee theSelectCommitteeonHousing Services; on theFuture Funding ofDomestic Water on theFuture ofHealthcare; theJointCommittee the establishmentofSectoral Committees] draft legislative proposalsscrutinise EU priorto Select Committee,whichwasestablishedto Association (NSIPA) Chairpersons (WGCC) procedural support. legislative scrutiny, scrutinyandparliamentary EU encompassingfinancialscrutiny,functional services responsibility foroversight ofanumber of cross- responsibilities, eachseniormanager has Committees withintheirrespective areas of strategic leadershipfortheadministration ofthe committee structure. Aswell ashavingoverall revised tomore thenew effectively support responsibilities ofseniormanagementwere of Committeesin2016,theline-management With theestablishmentofanincreased number Structure intheCommitteeSecretariat Implementation ofRevised Management the auspicesofBusinessCommittee. This wasthefirstSymposium organised under providing inputintothepublicdebate. afurther a viewtoinformingdebateintheHousesand the UK’s withdrawal from theEuropean Unionwith reflect onthethemeeconomicimplicationsof sector, thetrade unionmovement andacademiato representatives ofthebusiness Houses, IrishMEPs, Comhairle andbrought togethermembersofthe The Symposium waschaired by theCeann 2 Financialscrutinyreports Institutions to theEU contributions scrutinyreports/political 6 EU published 25 Policy reports 992 Witness appearances atcommitteemeetings 729 Sittinghours 323 Oireachtas Committees Committeemeetings Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 35 Annual Report 2016 36 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report Houses as part oftheDáilreform programme.Houses aspart amendments toStanding Orders agreed by the revised andupdatedtotakeaccountof further the 2016dissolutionperiod. The Guidewillbe An updatedClerksGuidewasdrafted during the Committees’ Coordination Unit. procedures andpractices, isprovided through guidance, includingguidancerelating tonew of theworkCommittees.Ongoingprocedural issuesariseinthecourse and whenever particular and informationatmeetingsofCommitteeClerks Committee Clerksalsoreceive procedural training Group of Committee Chairmen (WGCC) in early 2017. guidelines willbeformallyadoptedby the Working in otherParliaments. Itisexpectedthatthedraft information onthePrivate Members’ BillsProcedure provided by theLibrary &Research and Service draft guidelineswere prepared basedonresearch to allCommitteeChairmeninJanuary2017. The Private MembersBillswasdrafted and circulated scrutinyof set ofdraft guidelinesforundertaking scrutinyofPrivateundertaking MembersBills.A role ofCommittees,includingtheprocedures for thelegislativeSecretariat isfocusedtosupport of procedural capacityintheCommittees’ To thiswork,thedevelopment support in thelegislative process. in theHousesandprogressed tocommitteestage in thenumberofPrivate Members’ Billsinitiated work ofCommitteesisthesignificantincrease which hashadthegreatest impactonthe The reform totheparliamentaryprocesses Procedural Training forCommitteeClerks Goal 1: The sittingsoftheHousesandtheirCommitteesare continuouslyandeffectively supported period 2012-2016. shows thenumberofPQsprocessed over the were selectedtobedebated. The tablebelow Topical Issuesproposed fordebate,281ofwhich Questions tabledforreply by Ministersand1,624 In 2016,there were 44,942Parliamentary sittings ofDáilÉireann. PQs andforproducing theQuestionsPaper for Questions Officeisresponsible forprocessing the parliamentaryaccountabilityfunction. The is responsible. They are the mostvisibleaspectof or tomattersofadministration forwhichheorshe public policyconnectedwithhisorherDepartment, to Ministersinrelation totheadministration of Parliamentary Questions(PQs)are questions the QuestionsOffice Parliamentary QuestionsProcess – is setoutinAppendix VI ofthisreport. by theParliamentary Committeesin2016 ontheworkundertaken A detailedreport reference ofthePublic Petitions Committee. with the Taoiseach; and,review of the orders of Private Members’ Bills;the WGCC’s engagement implementation ofpre-legislative scrutinyfor resources thenewfunctions; required tosupport of theParliamentary Committees;thenecessary initiatives ontheoperation, functionsandactivities These mattersincluded:theimpactofDáilreform the Working Group ofCommittee Chairs(WGCC). of thenewCommitteesystemwere considered by In 2016,mattersrelating totheimplementation implementation ofthenewCommitteeSystem Chairpersons onhighlevel issuesarisinginthe to Report Working Group ofCommittee tabled fortopicalissuedebates. Orders. ItalsoadvisestheCeannComhairleonprocedural admissibilityofquestionsandonrequests The QuestionsOfficeassistsandadvisesmembersonthedrafting ofPQsinaccordance withStanding preparing andpublishingActsoftheOireachtas. Houses forsignature by thePresident, and amendments, preparing Bills passedby both publishing andcirculating Billsandproposed The Officealsohasresponsibility forprinting, Stagesand Report inthelegislative process. Select CommitteesandClerksatCommittee the ChairpersonofeachHouse,Chairpersons the BillsOfficeprepares theprocedural brief for In thepassageofaBillthrough theHouses, rulings oftheChairandothermattersorder. constitutional requirements, standingorders, through allstagesintheHousescompliancewith in bothHouses,from initiationofaBilltopassage procedural tasksrelating tothelegislative process amending legislation.Ithasresponsibility forthe their Committeesininitiating,scrutinisingand bothHousesand The BillsOfficesupports in BothHouses–theBillsOffice fortheLegislativeSupport Process * Number of Parliamentary Questions2012-2016 Number ofParliamentary Goal 1: The sittingsoftheHousesandtheirCommitteesare continuouslyandeffectively supported % PQsDisallowed PQs Disallowed Written Replies Oral Replies PQs Processed and thebusinessofDáilinpastyear. The dissolutionofDáilÉireann on3February 2016andtheensuingelectionimpactedonnumberofsittingdays 2623,5 0393,5 28,963 44,942 38,655 52,910 40,369 54,691 39,952 50,926 42,682 56,027 1,301 1,881 2012 2% 1,456 1,684 2.9% 2013 meeting with a US Congressmeeting withaUS delegationat Leinster House. Leas-Cheann Comhairle, Pat theCopeGallagher TD, both Housesin2016issetoutAppendixIX. is setoutinAppendix The listofBillspassedby VIII. The listofBillsinitiatedinbothHousesduring2016 by theHouses. initiated intheHouses. There were 22Billspassed now constitute the majorityofBills 2016 andPMBs was notedinlastyear’s continuedin report, number ofPrivate Members’ Billsinitiated,which Private Members’ Bills(PMBs). The increase inthe of which36were Government Billsand85were In 2016there were 121 BillsinitiatedintheHouses, 1,354 1,535 2.5% 2014 1,463 1,303 2.8% 2015 1.89% 2016* 1,071 849 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 37 Annual Report 2016 38 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report those requesting access to theregisters. election inorder tomake themavailable to from each oftheconstituenciesfollowing the and scanningofthemarked register ofelectors following theelection. This included thereceipt take custodyoftherelevant electoral documents election whichwasheldinFebruary 2016, andto each ofthe40Dáilconstituenciesforgeneral the Clerk’s statutorydutiestoissuethewritsfor The BillsOfficecoordinated thetasksforfulfilling under theElectoral Acts. the statutoryresponsibilities oftheClerkDáil tasksarisingfrom The BillsOfficealsoundertakes and DáilBy-Elections forDáilGeneral Elections Support of theParliamentary Legal Adviser(OPLA). transferred from theBillsOfficeto legislative formemberswas drafting service responsibility fortheadministration ofthe implementation oftheprogramme ofDáilreform, Following thegeneral electionandarisingfrom Legislative forMembers Drafting Service officials. Department process andprocedures tomembers,theirstaffand The BillsOfficeprovides briefingsonthelegislative and Procedures Briefings ontheLegislative Process 22 Billswere passedby bothHouses 44 Billswere reprinted following amendment Amendmentswere1,684 processed and 85private members’ bills) 121 Billswere initiated(36government bills Bills andAmendments Goal 1: The sittingsoftheHousesandtheirCommitteesare continuouslyandeffectively supported

Research Librarians intheL&RS. providedinformation service by ateam of requests, were AskaLibrarian requests, the number ofrequests received 65%, or1,332 other parliamentsandinstitutions.Ofthetotal and members, Committees,staffoftheService 2,052 requests inresponse torequests from In thepastyear theL&RSresponded to to theService. information andrecords managementservices members. alsodelivers professionalThe service value-added, responsive andaccessibletoall thatareL&RS istodeliver impartial, services their Committeesandmembers. The focusofthe information andresearch totheHouses, services The Library andResearch (L&RS)delivers expert Houses andtheirCommittees the Work toSupport Services ofthe andResearch Library Parliamentary place inJune2016. election ofmemberstoSeanadÉireann whichtook The Clerkorganised andconductedthegeneral Bodies. an annualrevision oftheRegister ofNominating Éireann. The Returning Officeralsocarriesout general electionsandbye-elections toSeanad seats and,inthisregard, organises andconducts Returning Officerforthe43vocational panel The ClerkoftheSeanadis Elections andSeanad By-Elections forSeanad GeneralSupport Legislative Programme. proposed legislationlistedintheGovernment’s available publishedmaterialandmediacoverage on Bill Tracker pagesare dedicatedpagescontaining The L&RScreated 43newonlineBill Tracker pages. Bill Tracker Service examination ofthepotentialimplicationsBill. stakeholder andothercommentary, andan provisions proposed intheBill,asummary of framework, detailsoftheprincipal legislative stated policyobjective, theexistinglegislative includes thepolicybackground totheBill, Stage debatesonBills. Typical contentforaDigest information toassisttheminpreparing forSecond spokespersons andmemberswithauthoritative 26 BillsDigests. These publicationsprovide party debates onBillsintheHousesL&RSpublished To assistmembersinpreparing forSecondStage Bills Digests–SecondStage DebateonBills potential performanceindicatorsonspecificBills. performance, theL&RSpilotedinclusionof publication, Parliamentary scrutinyofgovernment legislative scrutiny. Following theL&RSSpotlight information andperformanceindicatorsin L&RS soughttoraise awareness ofperformance Chambers ofbothHousesduringtheyear. The direct citationsofL&RSworkindebatesthe L&RS legislative analysispaperswasreflected in legislative process. The reliance ofmemberson pre-legislative stageandatSecondStage ofthe assist membersinscrutinyoflegislationatboth isdesignedto Legislative (LAS) AnalysisService forMembers Support Legislative – AnalysisService Goal 1: The sittingsoftheHousesandtheirCommitteesare continuouslyandeffectively supported work) in2016. requests (inclusive ofpre-legislative scrutiny The L&RScompleted71Committeeresearch out theirviewsonproposed legislation. preparation totheHousessetting ofreports pre-legislativeundertaking scrutinyandthe papers. These resources assistedCommitteesin papers, questionsincontextpapersandbriefing included theprovision ofstakeholderselection General SchemesofBills.Research assistance six JointCommitteesintheirscrutinyofseven In2016,theL&RSassisted services. feature ofLAS Pre-legislative scrutiny(PLS)isnow acentral Pre-legislative Scrutiny members during2017. L&RS bringsCensus2016informationto This pilotisinformingthemannerinwhich and householdindicatorsforeachconstituency. displaying keyCensus2011demographic, economic dashboards offeravisualandinteractive meansof inJuly2016.The Constituency Dashboards service The L&RSlauncheditspilotLibrary andResearch related toPrivate Members’ Bills. published during2016,manycovering information debates intheHouses.Intotal307blogpostswere It alsofocusedonproviding informationalignedto and topicalpublicationsthrough itsintranet blog. The L&RScontinuedtoinformmembersofnew Value AddedInformationServices Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 39 Annual Report 2016 40 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report and theCommon Travel Area. such asbusinessandfinance,energy, tourism agri-food sectorandoncross boarder activities (RaISe), examinedtheimpactofBrexit onthe Ireland Assembly research oftheNorthern service The papers,prepared jointlyby theL&RSand Inter-ParliamentaryNorth/South Association. requested fortheDecember2016plenaryof impact ofBrexit wasakeyfeature oftheresearch relations, the In thecontextofNorth/South Inter-Parliamentary Association oftheNorth/South Plenary January:theL&RShosted athree-day study n networks, forexample: interparliamentary andotherlibrary andresearch In 2016,L&RSstaffcontributedto Research Networks Contribution toParliamentary Library and the occasionofheraddress toSeanadÉireann. First MinisterofScotland,MsNicolaSturgeon MSP, on O’Donovan, andmembersoftheSeanadmeetingwith Cathaoirleach ofSeanadÉireann, Senator Denis Goal 1: The sittingsoftheHousesandtheirCommitteesare continuouslyandeffectively supported Institute (NDI). The objectiveInstitute (NDI). ofthevisit wasto by theNationalDemocratic was alsosupported programme oftheEuropean Commission.It Instrument(TAIEX) and InformationExchange and organised underthe Technical Assistance Assembly ofMacedonia. The visitwasfunded visit from theParliamentary Institute,National February: theHeadofLibrary andResearch n provide peer-to-peer adviceinorder to April:L&RSstaffgave apresentation tostaffof n September:L&RSstaffattendedtheEuropean n August:L&RSstaffattendedthe n November: hostedaseminaron the Service n by theParliamentary Institute strengthen research delivered services L&RS Strategy 2016-2018andlessonslearned entitled Research inBrussels(EPRS) Service and staffoftheEuropean Parliamentary gave apresentationService tothemanagement Dashboard project gave apresentation ontheL&RSConstituency conference inEdinburgh and Network (IPRIN) Inter-Parliamentary Research andInformation members andresearch forCommittees services for onL&RSlegislative analysisservices (IHREC) the IrishHumanRightsandEqualityCommission by theL&RS use ofinfographics inresearch waschaired parliamentary research products through the Archives inOslo. The sessiononimproving forLibraries, Research and Services Service seminarInnovativeDocumentation (ECPRD) Centre forParliamentary Research and in attendance. from 26parliamentary chambers participants and theirimpactonlegislation. There were 54 to, pre-legislative andpost-legislative scrutiny consider theexperiencesof, andapproaches Practices. Thepurposeoftheseminarwasto Legislative Process? –CaseStudies andBest Parliament: anIntegrated Feature ofthe Pre andPost-Legislative Scrutinyinandbeyond auspices oftheECPRD. The seminarwasentitled the subjectoflegislative scrutinyunderthe Annual archive procedures andsystems. Parliament toexaminetheirparliamentary the European Parliament andtheScottish the HouseofCommons,Parliament ofNorway, During 2016,theL&RSmetwithcolleaguesfrom was 144%. In2015,thepercentage increaseService. from 2014 know-how resources toFOIdecisionmakersinthe of 33%on2015,andprovided assistanceand (FOI) requests over thecourseof2016,an increase The L&RSprocessed 234Freedom ofInformation Freedom ofInformation Laid system. L&RS. This accessisfacilitated via theL&RS’ eDocs documents laidwithin24hoursofreceipt by the 15% on2015.Membersofthepubliccanaccess and agencies. This figure represented anincrease of laid before theHousesby Government Departments The L&RSprocessed 2,071documentsthatwere Documents laidbefore theHouses data protection across theService. management, freedom ofinformationand to facilitateajoinedupapproach torecords Manager wasappointed. This Unitwasestablished in 2016andanewAssistantPrincipal Records The Records ManagementUnitwasestablished Records Management and Management Information Governance Goal 1: The sittingsoftheHousesandtheirCommitteesare continuouslyandeffectively supported meetings. and thenumberduration ofcommittee 2-3 workingdays,depending onavailable resources published onthewebsite onthesamedayorwithin ofeachCommitteemeetingis The OfficialReport and SeanadisalsopublishedinBound Volume. ofthedebatesinDáil The OfficialReports at theendofeachday’s Dáilproceedings. formatted andpublishedintheOfficialReport replies from Government Ministersare collated, Parliamentary Questionstabledby Deputiesand website incrementally throughout thesittingday. the DáilandSeanaddebatesispublishedon PDF formatsonthewebsite. of The OfficialReport a Lotus NotesbasedsystemandinHTML, XML and topublishingelectronically on of theOfficialReport has moved from theproduction ofaprintedversion and administrative staff. Inrecent years, thefocus through ateamofEditors,Parliamentary Reporters isdeliveredThe production oftheOfficialReport Editor ofDebatesOffice the Parliamentary Committees– oftheHousesandOfficial Report orEnglish). contribution (Gaeilge inthelanguageoftheir of allspeakers,reported record ofthecontributions complete andimpartial Parliamentary Inquiries. This isanauthoritative, of theOireachtas, Parliamentary Committeesand the writtenrecord ofproceedings ofbothHouses production andpublicationoftheOfficialReport, The EditorofDebatesOfficeisresponsible forthe Proceedings Official Report oftheParliamentary Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 41 Annual Report 2016 42 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report schedule forall suchfilestoensure consistency or off-sitefollowed by thecreation ofaretention Office (electronic andhard copy)whetheron-site identification ofallrecords heldby theDebates by theDebatesOffice. This required the Service’s Records ManagementPolicy tofilesheld This project involved applyingtheprinciplesof Management Plan Implementation ofnewDebatesOfficeRecords every Bound Volume produced sincetheFirstDáil. During theyear staffalsosourced andcatalogued in-house. This backlogwascleared during2016. end-to-end publicationoftheOfficialReport that hadbuiltupsincetakingtheresponsibility for from December2013to2015,abacklog by staffintheDebatesOffice, covering theperiod (approximately 80,000pages)were processed A totalof73DáilBound Volumes Bound Volumes oftheOfficialDebates a timelymanner. in data, andpublicationoftheOfficialReport ensures fullownership andcontrol ofourown eliminates dependenciesonexternalsuppliers, publishing andprintingbudgetfortheHouses. This Office, generating significantannualsavingsinthe published from endtoby staffintheDebates isproduced and Since 2014theOfficialReport Debates OfficeAchievements in2016 in 2016. Britain andIreland. The AssemblymetinCardiff which meetstwiceyearly alternatingbetween staff ofthememberlegislatures of theAssembly, British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly, togetherwith theproceedings ofthe Debates Officestaffreport Goal 1: The sittingsoftheHousesandtheirCommitteesare continuouslyandeffectively supported to theOfficialReport. Indexing Project toensure enhancedpublic access Progress wasalsoachieved ontheOfficialReport IndexingProjectOfficial Report Proceedings. ofCommittee across theOfficialReport Knowledge Baseexercise toensure consistency oftheDebatesAuthoringResolution project ispart who appearbefore Oireachtas Committees. This to ensure consistencyinthenamingofwitnesses improve and easeofaccesstotheOfficialReport The Committee Witness NamesProject aimsto Committee Witness Names Project of theOfficialReport. production andpublishingenvironment forallusers environment andanannualarchive, enhancingthe involved thesplittingofDáildebatesintolive This Archiving ofDáilDebatesonLotus Notes Archiving ofDáilDebatesonLotus Notes ICT enterprisearchitecture fortheService. ofthedevelopment ofan solutions andispart alignment between businessneedsandfuture IT graphical format. The project willfacilitateimproved process mappingintheDebatesOfficepresented in This project involved thecreation ofadetailed Business Process MappingforDebatesOffice hard copyfilesoff-sitetoasecure location. work forthecomingyear willincludemoving some retention/deletion timelinesforallrecords. Further in storingandnamingprotocols anditeration of procurement process. contract wasawarded through thepublic market soundingsandatenderingprocess, anew system, expired on31December2016.Following and maintenanceoperation ofthesound The contract forthedigitalaudiorecording solution, Digital AudioRecording Contract and editIrishintheOfficialReport. Debates Officestaffwhoare qualifiedtoreport development (CPD),addingtothenumberof in thesectionthrough continuingprofessional We continuetodevelop Irishlanguageskills publishing theOfficialReport. guidelines usedby staffinproducing and – adatabaseonprocedure andin-housestyle and redesigning theEditorsBookdatabase Progress wasalsoachieved inupdating Editors BookDatabaseProject new website islive in2017. accessible anduser-friendly formatwhenthe onlineinamoreinterrogate theOfficialReport Project, theresults ofwhichwillallow usersto Debates OfficeisengagedinaMetadata and Reform’s (DPER’s) OpenDatainitiative, the ofPublic Expenditure In linewiththeDepartment Debates MetadataProject Goal 1: The sittingsoftheHousesandtheirCommitteesare continuouslyandeffectively supported Oireachtas Service LanguageScheme. Oireachtas Service An Rannóg alsomanagestheHousesof and SeanadÉireann andtheirCommittees. toDáilÉireanna simultaneoustranslation service of documents,Rannóg anAistriúcháinprovides As well asproducing official translations Treaties.of EU authority intheState fortheIrishlanguageversion grammar oftheIrishlanguage)andisnational An CaighdeánOifigiúil(theofficialstandard An Rannóg alsomanagesandpublishes of theHousesandonwww.achtanna.ie website. are publishedandmadeavailable onthewebsite Official translations oftheActsOireachtas items fortheService. oftheCommissionandother and AnnualReports Papers, Proceedings oftheHouses,Strategic Plans Instruments, Standing Orders oftheHouses,Order It alsoproduces officialtranslations ofStatutory Act 2006. Houses of the Oireachtas Commission (Amendment) of theActsOireachtas inaccordance withthe Rannóg anAistriúcháinprovides officialtranslations Rannóg anAistriúcháin Committees the HousesandParliamentary tosupport Interpretation Services TranslationParliamentary and Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 43 Annual Report 2016 44 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report a launchevent inLeinster Houseon13July2016. Oifigiúil waspresented by AnCeann Comhairleat of Dr. ÉamonnÓhÓgáin. The revised Caighdeán AdvisoryCommitteeunderthechairmanship expert The review wascarriedoutwiththeassistanceofan was publishedinJuly2016. in 2014,wascompletedandAnCaighdeánOifigiúil Commission (Amendment)Act2013,whichbegan accordance withtheHousesofOireachtas ofAnCaighdeánOifigiúilin review undertaken grammar fortheIrishlanguage). The statutory for AnCaighdeánOifigiúil(theofficialstandard Rannóg anAistriúcháinhasstatutoryresponsibility An CaighdeánOifigiúil event inLeinster House. was presented by AnCeannComhairleatalaunch completed in2016. The revised CaighdeánOifigiúil A statutoryreview ofAnCaighdeánOifigiúilwas Goal 1: The sittingsoftheHousesandtheirCommitteesare continuouslyandeffectively supported support the Service incarrying outitsfunctions. theService support in 2016,includingcorporate documentation, to fortheHouses oftheOireachtas Service services An Rannóg provided arange ofgeneral translation Service Translation tomeettheneedsof Services needs oftheHousesandtheirCommittees. tomeetthe simultaneous translation services Papers forthebothHouses.Italsoprovided theproduction ofbilingualOrder 2016 tosupport Rannóg anAistriúcháinprovided during services Houses andtheirCommittees Translation tomeettheneedsof Services Government Departments. forStatutory Instrumentsmadebyservices other of JusticeandEquality. Italsoprovided translation fortheDepartment on Rules oftheSuperiorCourts of Statutory Instrumentsin2016,focusingprimarily An Rannóg provided inrespect translation services Translation ofStatutory Instruments translations oftheActsOireachtas. reducing thevolume ofarrears inofficial Acts Clearance Strategy andprogress wasmadein In 2016,Rannóg anAistriúcháincontinuedwithits Arrears Acts Translation of Rannóg anAistriúcháin. resources were provided intheeditingcohort the OfficialLanguagesAct2003,additionalstaff translations oftheActsOireachtas under statutory responsibility fortheproduction ofofficial indischarging its theService In supporting Acts oftheOireachtas Gaeilge, Acadamh na Gaeilge, NUIG. AcadamhnaGaeilge, Gaeilge, Pleanála Corpais,AcadamhnahOllscolaíochta anAonaidAistriúcháinagus Droighneáin, Riarthóir Debates Office. The seminarswere ledby EoinÓ staff ofRannóg anAistriúcháinandforstaffinthe of informationseminarsonAnCaighdeánforthe Caighdeán Oifigiúil,AnRannóg organised aseries Following thereview andpublicationofAn An CaighdeánOifigiúil Information seminarsforstaffon in theLeinster Housecomplex. accommodation bringing them into line with the lifts were introduced intheliftsKildare Houseoffice of theSchemein2016,bilingualaudionotices delivery.language initsservice Inimplementation commitments regarding theuseofIrish Irish LanguageScheme,whichsetsouttheService’s to managetheHousesofOireachtas Service In 2016,Rannóg anAistriúcháincontinued Irish LanguageScheme Houses oftheOireachtas Service Solicitor). (i.e.the Attorney General, theChiefStateservices acts strictlyindependentlyof thegovernment legal legal opinionsandproviding advices,theOPLA Informulating Houses oftheOireachtas Service. Houses oftheOireachtas Commissionandthe of theHouses,Parliamentary Committees, the andadvicetomembers and efficientlegalservices has responsibility fortheprovision ofhighquality The Office of the Parliamentary Legal Adviser (OPLA) totheHousesandMembers Services Provision ofLegal andLegislative Goal 1: The sittingsoftheHousesandtheirCommitteesare continuouslyandeffectively supported assistance of Counsel for court advocacy.assistance ofCounsel forcourt andwiththe managed internallyby theOPLA in2016.Both caseswere heard by theHighCourt Service. Two were cases ofconstitutionalimportance Houses, theCommittees, Commissionandthe functions andlegalproceedings involving the the performanceby membersoftheirparliamentary managesalllitigationcasesarisingfrom The OPLA of theOireachtas Legal Proceedings involving theHouses Ethics Acts. obligations ofmembers,e.g.guidelinesunderthe and updatesguidelinesinrelation tothestatutory alsoreviews Committees andtheService. The OPLA for membersoftheHouses,Parliamentary drafts guidelinesandpolicydocuments The OPLA Guidelines andPolicy Documents functions oftheOffice. andamalgamatedwiththeexisting OPLA Members’ Billsistobeestablishedwithinthe legislative inrespect drafting ofPrivate service presented totheDáilon24May2016,anew sub-Committee onDáilReform initsfinalreport In implementingakeyreform proposed by the legislative drafting queriesfrom members. the officeprovides legaladviceinresponse to Members’ Billsorproposed amendmentstoBills, doesnotcurrently draftWhile theOPLA Private not includedrafting proposed amendmentstoBills. onlyincludesdraftingdrafting ofBills;itdoes service in respect ofPrivate Members’ Bills. The external provide legislative tomembers drafting services Two externaldrafters are currently engagedto Legislative forMembers Drafting Service Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 45 Annual Report 2016 46 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report and presiding over sittingsoftheHouse. advice andby assisting theminpreparing for Temporary Chairpersonsby providing procedural Cathaoirleach, theLeas-Chathaoirleach and the The ClerkoftheSeanadsupports Seanad Procedural BriefingServices database. these andotherresources through adedicated business items. They alsohave direct accessto briefing fortheChairpersononindividualdaily by e-mailofthedailyschedule ofbusinessand Chairpersons and Temporary Clerksreceive notice Members oftheDáilPanels of Temporary Dáil andadvisesthemonparliamentaryprocedure. Chairpersons inpresiding over thesittingsof Comhairle, Leas-Cheann Comhairleand Temporary theCeann The ClerkoftheDáilsupports Dáil Procedural BriefingServices procedures andpractices oftheHouse. Chair ofeachHouseandmembersonthe House andistheprincipaladvisertoHouse, provision ofprocedural totherespective services The ClerkofeachHouseisresponsible forthe Business for theParliamentary Procedural andSupport Services ofthisstrategic goal: support provided ofservices andachievementsOverview in Goal 2:Provide highqualityprocedural capacity procedural capacity Provide highquality Goal 2:

of Selectionforthepurposenominating Dáil taken intheHouseandalso actsastheCommittee responsible forthearrangements forbusiness Business Committee.TheCommitteeis its sub-CommitteeonDáilReform andtheDáil totheDáilCommitteeonProcedure,support The JournalOfficeprovides administrative forDáilStanding Committees Support Seanad Standing Orders inJune2016. Orders waspublishedinJanuary2017andof A consolidatedversion ofthecurrent DáilStanding official documentsofSeanadÉireann. of theprocedural rules,procedural records and asimilarrole inrespect of theSeanad,undertakes The SeanadOffice,underthedirection oftheClerk producing Journalsofthesittings. re-printing theupdatedStanding Orders and amendments toStanding Orders, asrequired, maintaining DáilStanding Orders, drafting is akeytaskoftheJournalOffice. This includes procedural documentation records andsupporting The maintenanceofDáilprocedural rules, for theguidanceanduseofallmembers Publication ofStanding Orders and practice. new membersoftheHouseonSeanadprocedure 2016, theSeanadOfficedelivered seminarsto Arising from theSeanadGeneral Electionin of Temporary Chairsasnecessary. Deputy Chairpersonsandmembersofthepanel business are alsoprovided totheChairpersons, itemsof One-to-one briefingsonparticular provisions relating tomembers’ private papers, Orders togive effecttoconstitutionalandstatutory the Committeeincluded adoption ofStanding held eightmeetings. The businessconsidered by In 2016,theCommitteeonProcedure andPrivileges Committee onStanding Orders (Private Business). Public ConsultationCommitteeandtheJoint Privileges, theCommitteeofSelection,Seanad Office totheCommitteeonProcedure and isprovidedSecretariat support by theSeanad forSeanad Standing Committees Support Dáil Reform issetoutinpage48ofthisreport. Information ontheworkofsub-Committee and manywere implemented over thepastyear. practices whichwere approved by theHouse proposals forreform ofDáilprocedures and Reform held25meetingsandpresented aseriesof Committees oftheDáil. The sub-CommitteeonDáil to theallocationofChairsandmembership six meetingsandproduced sevenrelating reports the endofyear. The CommitteeofSelectionheld meetings from itsestablishmentinJune2016to the scheduleofbusinessforDáil.Itheld25 weekly basiswhentheDáil is sittingtodecide of theHouse. The BusinessCommitteemeetsona confidential communications and official documents provisions relating tomembers’ private papers, Orders togive effecttoconstitutionalandstatutory parliamentary privilegesandadoptionofStanding considered includedmattersrelating tomembers’ meetings over thecourseof2016. The business The CommitteeonProcedure heldseven based ontheD’Hondtsystem. administers theallocationofCommitteeChairposts onOireachtasmembers toserve Committeesand Goal 2:Provide highqualityprocedural capacity delivery ofseminarstonewmembers n establishmentofthe25thSeanad n SeanadGeneral Election n for thefollowing keyevents: provision ofadministrative andprocedural support The SeanadOfficeactivitiesin2016includedthe forSeanad KeySupport Events Georgian Leinster House. Seanad Chambertofacilitatetherefurbishment of Sturgeon MSP, andthetemporary relocation of the Seanad by theFirstMinisterofScotland,MsNicola of theHouse,arrangements fortheaddress tothe confidential communications and official documents address totheSeanadby theFirstMinister n €60,000 annually. intheregionto realise of savingstotheService the revised pricingstructure whichisexpected a corresponding reduction incosts arisingfrom It hasnegotiatedareduction intheprintrunwith for printedcopiesofparliamentarydocuments. continuestomonitorthedemand Dáil, theService delivery ofparliamentarydocumentsfor the32nd In linewiththeplanstomove toelectronic-only Parliamentary Publishing andPrinting Services developing itsrecord managementsystems. the Service’s strategic goalinthisregard andon inthecontextof procedural capacityandsupport In 2017,theSeanadOfficewillfocusonimproving on Seanadprocedure andpractice of Scotland,MsNicolaSturgeon MSP Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 47 Annual Report 2016 48 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report its deliberations over 25meetings. considered by thesub-Committeeincourseof The viewsexpressed inthese submissionswere setting outtheirviewsonparliamentary reform. members oftheHouseandpublic andgroups intheHouse,individual from parties The sub-Committeereceived writtensubmissions by theHouse. a seriesofproposals forDáilreform forapproval the sub-CommitteeonDáilReform bring forward Dáil, theHousepassedamotionrequesting that On 10March 2016,thefirstsittingdayof32nd processes parliamentary the workingsofDáiland Dáil Reform Programme –toenhance practices atapress conference inLeinster House. recommendations forreform ofDáilprocedures and The sub-CommitteeonDáilReform presenting its ofthisstrategic goal: support provided ofservices andachievementsOverview in Goal 3: Implement parliamentary reform recommendations Goal 3:Implementparliamentary reform recommendations Implement parliamentary Goal 3:

electionoftheCeannComhairleandleas n as follows: The mainreforms proposed canbesummarised Orders andadoptednewStanding Orders. approved amendmentstoexistingStanding implement theproposed reforms theHouse for reform ofDáilprocedures andpractices. To to theDáilincludingaseriesofrecommendations The sub-Committeepresented three reports more power fortheDáiltoplanandmake n enhancedscrutinyoftheannualbudgetary n allocationofCommitteeChairpositions n anincreased role fortheOfficeof n changestotherulesrelating totheformation n members oftheHouse Cheann Comhairleby secret ballotofall establishment ofanewBusinessCommittee arrangements foritsown business,withthe work by anewParliamentary BudgetOffice inits Oversight Committee,tobesupported cycle withtheestablishmentofanewBudget based ontheD’Hondtsystem the Houses advice onlegislationbeingconsidered by in drafting legislation,andtheprovision of provision ofassistancetobackbenchmembers Parliamentary Legal Adviser, toincludethe parliamentary setpieces join forces tohave agreater share of to independent membersandsmallerparties established underStanding Orders; thisenables more thanone‘technicalgroup’ tobe of ‘groups’ toallow intheHouse,particular rearrangement ofthesittingdaysothatsittings n pre-legislative scrutinytobeextended n establishmentofanewIrishLanguage n ameansformemberstoformallyrecord their n improvements toboththeParliamentary n introduction ofpostponeddivisionsinrespect n through changestoDáilStanding Orders. were approved by theDáilandimplemented reforms throughoutagreed theyear further which The sub-Committeeheld25meetingsin2016and Goal 3: Implement parliamentary reform recommendations Goal 3:Implementparliamentary plenary sittingsandcommitteemeetings members togive more timetoboth with Committeemeetings;thisenables of theHouse,wherever possible,donotconflict of thoseBillsbeingenacted Legal Adviser),whichwillincrease theprospect are inplacetheOfficeofParliamentary non-Government Bills(whensufficientresources Committee intheHouses on therecord oftheHouse for theirabstention,orthewaytheyvoted, abstention from avote andtoputanexplanation Business concerningitslegislative programme Government answers questionsontheOrder of Questions process andthemannerinwhich the House which represents amore efficientuseoftimein division time’ (currently on Thursday afternoons) itemsofbusinessuntilthe‘weekly of particular of parliamentaryreforms implementedinthe32ndDáil. ofaseries established by theDáilinJune2016aspart The DáilBusinessCommittee. The Committeewas arrangements fortakingitemsofbusiness, n for agreement, including: managing thebusiness,whichare puttotheHouse The BusinessCommitteealsomakesproposals for business forthefollowing week. for theweek aheadandanindicative scheduleof each week andagrees the scheduleofDáilbusiness to theBusinessCommittee. The Committeemeets The JournalOfficeprovides secretariat support and oppositionmembers. the CeannComhairleandismadeupofgovernment business intheHouse. The Committeeischaired by with responsibility forschedulingtheweekly a BusinessCommitteewasestablishedby theDáil proposed by thesub-Committee onDáilReform, In implementingoneofthekeyreforms Establishment ofaDáilBusinessCommittee takinglegislationintheDáilandSelect n contributing todebates, speaking timesforMinistersandmembers the lengthoftimeallocatedtoeachitem,and Committees, Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 49 Annual Report 2016 50 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report sittingtimesandadjournmentsoftheHouse, n selectionofthebusinesstobescheduledon n other supports required toestablishalegislativeother supports The capacityreview will examine theresources and shouldbe …acapacityreview oftheOPLA recommended that: In presenting thisproposal the sub-Committee by theHouses. advice tomembersonlegislationbeingconsidered drafting Private Members’ Billsandtheprovision of provision oflegislative assistancetomembersin toincludethe Legal inparticular Adviser(OPLA), expanded role fortheOfficeofParliamentary the sub-CommitteeonDáilReform proposed an presented tothe DáilinMay2016 In itsfinalreport Legislative forMembers Drafting Service approved by theHouse. waslaidbefore theDáiland of theDáil.Eachreport allocation ofChairsandmembershipCommittees in 2016andproduced seven relating tothe reports The CommitteeofSelectionmetonsixoccasions the D’Hondtsystem. the allocationofCommitteeChairpostsbasedon onOireachtasto serve Committeesandadministers of Selectionforthepurposenominatingmembers The Business Committee also acts as the Committee Goal 3: Implement parliamentary reform recommendations Goal 3:Implementparliamentary and Committee. and newinitiatives envisaged by theSub- and resources toaddress all existingtasks an appropriate structure intermsofstaffing carried outassoonpossibletodetermine Members’ Billsorcommitteereports) Thursday evenings intheHouse(Private support ofthisstrategic goal: support provided ofservices andachievementsOverview in the Museum’s role asaNationalCultural Institution. with animproved presentation commensurate with to theMuseumfollowing completionoftheproject space usedforthetemporary chamberisreturned commence inearly2017while ensuringthatthe temporary relocation oftheSeanad Chamberwill planning permissions,preparatory workforthe are beingcarriedout.Subjecttothe appropriate National Museumwhiletheurgent essentialworks relocate theSeanadchambertoan area ofthe National MuseumofIreland totemporarily An agreement wasentered intowiththe commence inmanyareas oftheHousein2016. This allowed preparatory andinvestigative worksto preparation fortheplannedworkstobuilding. from Georgianstaff andservices Leinster Housein Leinster House,progress wasmadeindecanting of structural andupgrade worksforGeorgian In pursuanceoftheplannedprogramme to Georgian Leinster House Structural andRestoration Works and Facilities Management Office Accommodation in 2017. presented tothesub-CommitteeonDáilReform new function. was The capacityreview report the tosupport including thenecessaryexpertise asanewfunctionintheOPLA, drafting service and logisticalservices Provide infrastructural Goal 4:

vacating andreallocating officesand n Works, including: advanced incooperation with theOfficeofPublic projects wereIn 2016,anumberofimportant Facilities Management Georgian Leinster Housestructural project. significantfit-outworkin the basementof n Goal 4:Provide infrastructural andlogisticalservices the Houses. andgroups representedneeds ofparties in staff aswell asmeetingthe accommodation and returning membersoftheHousesandtheir providing officeaccommodationforfirsttime involved members, vacating officesofdeparting asit This wasasignificantproject, inparticular complex following the2016General Elections. other accommodationintheLeinster House previously beenusedasastorage area. andaccessibility whichhad compartmentation use withenhancedcompliance inrelation tofire to theHouse. This brings valuable spaceinto programme ofstructural and restoration works Leinster Housefortheduration ofthe which hasfacilitatedthedecantofGeorgian personnelandParliamentary Ushers service the 1966blocktoprovide accommodationfor newvisitorentrance andexitarrangements were n services, ortopublic accesstotheHouses. services, day operations oftheHouses, theparliamentary effective manner withnodisruptionstotheday-to- were dealtwithduringtheyear inanefficientand The challengesofvarious levels ofsecuritythreats to thepublicwhowishvisitHouses. work, whileensuringthatthebuildingisaccessible and othersforwhomLeinster Houseisaplaceof for membersandtheirstaff, staffoftheService House precinct aimtoprovide asafeworkplace Security arrangements withintheLeinster Security andAccessServices Fitness Room in2016. to theFitnessRoom and78peoplejoinedthe payroll. In2016,there were 4,027individualvisits of theHouseOireachtas andallstaffonthe The Oireachtas Fitness Room is open to all members Fitness Room of thefacility. providerfor directly totheservice by thoseavailing are paid Government Crècheservices Departments. the HousesofOireachtas aswell asstaffof and isopentothechildren ofMembersandstaff providerCrèche isoperated service by athird-party well aslate-evening care anddrop-in services. The childcare facilityforchildren uptoagefive, as The Oireachtas Crècheprovides anon-site Oireachtas Crèche Street security andthemovement ofpeopleviaKildare introduced attheKildare Street gatestoimprove Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 51 Annual Report 2016 52 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report improved visitormanagementsystemthrough n visitor managementwithinthecomplex,including: people enteringandexitingLeinster House,and year inorder toprovide safeandefficientaccessfor a numberofinitiatives were introduced duringthe Following areview ofsecurityarrangements, responsibility forexternalsecurityarrangements. Síochána,whohavework closelywithanGarda The SuperintendentandCaptainoftheGuard to Ireland, H.E.Mr. Javad Kachoueian. O’Donovan meetingwiththeIranian Ambassador Cathaoirleach ofSeanadÉireann, SenatorDenis installationofenhancedsecuritycontrols n expansionofelectronic doorcontrols n has commenced. the effectiveness ofperimetersecuritysystems adjacent tothebuilding,aproject toenhance In cooperation withgovernment departments advanced andare expectedtocommencein2017. screening andcheckingattheentrypointswere Preparations fortheintroduction ofenhanced security Goal 4:Provide infrastructural andlogisticalservices system visitor registration andvisitoridentification the introduction ofanelectronic visitorbooking, at theentryandexitgates to officeareas testingandrefinements ofICT infrastructure n in2016included: Contingency planningundertaken sittings oftheHousesandtheirCommittees. the tosupport ensure continuityofcriticalservices developed thecapabilityrequired inICT systemsto Planning fortheHouses,whichbeganin2009,has Business ContinuityandDisasterRecovery Recovery Planning Business ContinuityandDisaster asimulationexercise conductedduringwhich n anexercise conductedtoreview theoperation n ongoingreview andrefinement ofplanning n aworkshopheldforsenior stafftobriefthemon n alternate location thesittingsat standard insupporting the businesscontinuityplanmeetsrequired and systemstoensure thattheICT elementof the effectiveness oftheplan offices from thealternatelocationasatestof were providedcritical services by theprocedural the Official Report inthealternatelocation the OfficialReport of thesoundsystemusedinproduction of Area Recovery Plan (WARP) andthe WorkIncident ManagementPlan(IMP) documents includingareview oftheoverall Oireachtas Service Business ContinuityPlanfortheHousesof the role oftheIncidentManagement Team inthe an“Energy Awareness Day”washeldinMay n Power @ Work campaign: continued itsengagementwiththeOptimising In 2016,theHousesofOireachtas Service and plansfor2017 in2016Energy ManagementActionsUndertaken raising activitiesandenergy savinginitiatives. forawareness technologyandsupport expertise, by providing energy savingefforts supports OPW Through theOptimisingPower @ Work campaign, activities focusedonbehavioral change. energy consumptioninthepublicsectorthrough reduce CO2 emissionsandenergy by reducing bodies. The initiativeDepartments/public aimsto owned/leased foruseby by Government theOPW awareness campaigninplace250buildings @ Work” campaign. The campaignisastaffenergy intheOPW’sits participation “OptimisingPower isthroughby theHousesofOireachtas Service The mainfocusoftheenergy managementactivities Energy ManagementOverview aprogramme ofinstallationenergy efficient n thebiomassboilerwas upgraded andfully n Goal 4:Provide infrastructural andlogisticalservices on electricity, gasandwater and toprovide adviceonhow tosave energy reduction withintheLeinster Housecomplex for membersandstafftobriefthemonenergy was continued complex withenergy efficient alternatives lighting andassociatedcontrols across the complex’s heatingrequirements from early2017 operational andproviding ofthe a portion recommissioned andisexpected to befully ongoingreview oftheheatingandventilation n energy including: performancewere undertaken, A numberofotherinitiatives aimedatimproving nightenergy auditstoidentify areas n energy onamonthly monitoringandreporting n additionalmeteringaddedtotheLeinster n reduction ofthe“Medium Temperature n BuildingManagementSystem maintenance n management. towards makingenergy savingsandefficientenergy Authority ofIreland available toavail ofsupports Team willalsoengagewithSustainable Energy general staffawareness. The Energy Management as “step updays”toreduce liftusage andpromote awareness events forstaffandmemberssuch Power @ Work campaigntodeliver energy intheOptimising continue toparticipate In 2017,theHousesofOireachtas will review ofsolaroptionsforthesite n onsite updateoftheDisplayEnergy Certificate n opening hoursofLeinster House of heatingandventilation timestoreflect the required resulting insavingsthrough alignment systems toensure theyare operating onlywhen where further energywhere savingscanbemade further basis andregular energy teammeetings House complex Hot Water” insummer and adjustments Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 53 Annual Report 2016 54 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report updatetheEnergy ManagementActionplan n will: the Service To improving further energy performancein2017 conductasitewideenergy audit and n review ICT onsiteandthepotentialtoinstall n continuetheongoingprogramme ofinstallation n review ofheatingtimesastheyear progresses n Goal 4:Provide infrastructural andlogisticalservices opportunities forsavings opportunities for theHousesandupdatearegister of out ofhoursenergy audits sub-meters tomonitorelectricityusage of energy efficientlighting conditioning systemsasappropriate and adjustingheating,ventilation andair on Seanadprocedure andpractice. Seminars were delivered tonewSeanad members member oftheDáilPanel of Temporary Chairs. the presiding memberwasalsoprepared foreach A briefingdocumentontheprocedural dutiesof duties. their procedural, administrative andstatutory were prepared fornewOffice-Holders, covering Chathaoirleach, introductory briefingmaterials Cathaoirleach oftheSeanadandLeas- the CeannComhairleandLeas-Cheann Comhairle, elections in2016andthesubsequentelectionof Following theDáilandSeanadgeneral fornewOireachtas Office-Holders Support representational duties parliamentary and need toperformtheir high qualityservicesthey To provide memberswiththe Goal 1: effectively. andpublicrepresentativeparliamentary dutiesefficiently and they needtoenablethemperformtheir services support Members oftheHousesare provided withtheadviceand Constitutional Roles Strategic Membersintheir Objective 2:Support by theL&RS. information on theresearch provided services members tomeetL&RSstaff andtoreceive for late 2016provided opportunity afurther ‘Open Day’ hostedintheL&RS Reading Room in and one-to-onetraining on L&RSresources. An staff throughout theyear withwelcome sessions ofnewandreturning membersandtheir its support The Library andResearch (L&RS)continued Service and Research toMembers Services Provision ofHighQualityInformation Congressa US delegationatLeinster House. Ceann Comhairle,SeánÓFearghaíl TD, meetingwith from anumberofexofficioroles. respective Houseindischarging their dutiesarising theClerksof alsosupport Staff oftheService Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 55 Annual Report 2016 56 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report for theallocationofparliamentarypositions. governments andparliament;theD’Hondtsystem governments andcaretaker conventions; minority related topicalissuessuchas:caretaker The L&RSalsopublishedaseriesofNoteson system fortheallocationofcommitteemembership. Parliamentary CommitteesbasedontheD’Hondt a BudgetScrutinyOfficeandthecompositionof ontheestablishmentof with thestaffofService reform developments. L&RSresearchers worked Government whichinfluencedparliamentary The electionresulted inaminority post-election period inthe theService Supporting Plain EnglishAwards. in the2017NationalAdultLiteracy Agency(NALA) visuals. Research Matterswas“highlycommended” accessible aspossible,usingPlainEnglishand L&RS focusedonmakingthepublicationas expected tofeature indebatestheHouses. The compilation ofresearch briefingsontopicsthatare for the32ndDáiland25thSeanadmembers,a In ApriltheL&RSpublishedResearch Matters election wasalsopublished. A onepageinfographic withkeystatisticsfrom the were made available tothepubliconwebsite. a seriesofmapsdisplayingelectoral results and Following thegeneral election,theL&RSproduced Maps andResearch Matters and representational duties Goal 1: To provide they need to perform their parliamentary members with the high quality services the Service. to membersreduce duplicationofworkacross appropriate collectionandsharingofdatarelating also usedinaproject todevelop asystemforthe was themintheirwork.L&RSexpertise support understand how the library and research can service new membersfollowing theirelectiontohelpthem set up‘informationkiosks’ whichwere available to programmes fornewmembersoftheHouses.L&RS the development anddelivery ofinduction L&RS staffmemberswere involved in Orientation ofnewMemberstheHouses DEBATE REFERENCES DEBATE REFERENCES STAFFING

*AS AT31*AS DECEMBER2016 BILL DIGESTS BILL

COMMITTEE SCRUTINY OF SCRUTINY COMMITTEE PRE THEIR IN ASSISTED ASSISTED 26 35 35 6 15 LEGISLATIVE ANALYSIS 7 COMMITTEE RESEARCH

COMMITTEES JOINT BILLS BILLS - LEGISLATIVE / LEGISLATIVE STAFF STAFF

RESEARCHERS 22 ADMINISTRATIVE 5

INCLUDING: DEBATES COMMITTEE SEANAD AND IN DÁIL, 71 71

43 BILL TRACKER BILL TRACKER

COMPLETED COMPLETED COMMITTEE

LIBRARIANS 4 RESEARCH RESEARCH REQUESTS

1 1 3 3

PAGES PAGES

INFORMING PARLIAMENTINFORMING

307 ARTICLES MATTERS RESEARCH (WORDPRESS) EMAIL ALERTS 20 234 1,332 2,071 2,052 65% ASK A LIBRARIAN RESEARCH REQUESTS ASKRESEARCHREQUESTS A LIBRARIAN INFORMATION REQUESTS 2 2

5 5

CUSTOMISED RESEARCH CUSTOMISED RESEARCH 4 4 OF TOTAL

STATUTORY SERVICES STATUTORY SERVICES

TOPICAL RESEARCH TOPICAL RESEARCH Oireachtas Library &Research Service

386 386 28 93 DOCUMENTS LAID DOCUMENTS

INFOGRAPHICS TOTAL REQUESTS COMPLETEDTOTAL REQUESTS 37 FOI REQUESTS 10 SPOTLIGHTS / NOTES

SERVICE STAFF OIREACHTAS HOUSES OFTHE INTERPARLIAMENTARY RESEARCH RESEARCH MEMBERS’

Annual Report 2016 Annual Report

57 Annual Report 2016 58 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report At least10per centofmembersare selectedon on theOireachtas website onamonthlybasis. Public Representation Allowance (PRA)ispublished Information onmembers’ expenditure underthe allowable expenses,salariesandrelated issues. and provides guidanceandassistancetothemon processes mostoftheallowances duetomembers applicable totheirposition.Members’ Services information relating toanyallowance andpayment Members usetheOne-Stop-Shop asasource of guidelines governing theuseofsuchresources. It alsoprovides informationonthepoliciesand them incarryingouttheirparliamentaryfunctions. and resources madeavailable tothemsupport a singleaccesspointforinformationontheservices formembersoftheHousesgivingthem service Members’ provides Services aOne-Stop-Shop forMembers One-Stop-Shop InformationService on theOireachtas website. format andisavailable tomembersofthepublic Indicators serieswasrelaunched ininfographic information. InJanuary, theL&RSEconomics in L&RSpublicationstovisuallypresent research create infographics whichare now usedregularly The L&RScontinuedtodevelop itscapabilityto in legislative analysisresearch. piloting theinclusionofperformanceinformation visualisation tools(infographic andmaps) through greaterinformation services use ofdata The L&RScontinuedtoenhanceitsresearch and inimplementingDáilreform initiatives.Service membersandthe to bothHousesandsupporting meet members’ needsarisingfrom theelections the provision oflibrary andresearch to services A keyfocusoftheworkL&RSin2016was and representational duties Goal 1: To provide they need to perform their parliamentary members with the high quality services applied inaccordance withtherelevant regulations. expenditure todetermine whetherexpenditure is audit istoprovide anindependent examinationof competitive tenderprocess. The purposeofthe an independentauditor, selectedfollowing a Allowance (PRA)wasconductedin2016by The sixthannualauditofthePublic Representation Public Representation Allowance undertheAudit ofExpenditure the centralised databasewillbelive inmid2017. has progressed throughout 2016.Itisexpectedthat of members’ allowable expensesandallowances to streamline theprocess fortheadministration development ofacentralised databaseinorder To tomembers,the enhance services further regulatory requirements andrelated obligations. formembersinfulfillingthe support an important staff atvarious junctures throughout 2016. This is and formermembershadone-to-onemeetingswith Following theelectionstobothHouses,new feedback hasbeenconsistentlypositive. 2016. Seminarshave beenwell attendedand were conductedduringNovember andDecember regulations governing expensesandallowances copy. Seminarsformembersoncompliancewith and circulated tomembersinbothhard andsoft refined approach, withguidancedocumentsfurther continuedduring2016withaproactiveServices In keepingwithprogress madein2015,Members’ auditor ispublishedonthewebsite. transparency, oftheindependent thereport auditor. Intheinterest ofproviding maximum expenditure isconductedby anindependent incurred underthePRA. The annualauditof a random basisfortheannualauditofexpenditure HR UnitforMembers. HR by the areemployee undertaken services functions inrelation topay, leave andother Accordingly, allpersonneladministration under theSchemeare paidby theCommission. are notpublicservants. However, staffemployed concernedand employees ofthememberorparty of 2016.Staff employed undertheSchemeare the employed by members undertheSchemeatend There were 525staff, 439full-timeequivalent posts, Scheme forSecretarial Assistance(theScheme). of theHousesandtheirstaffemployed underthe Training, Pension andPayroll tomembers Services deliver HR, Services Human Resources (HR) Scheme forSecretarial AssistanceforMembers and relevance, wasvery positive. information seminar, regarding itsusefulness The feedbackreceived from membersonthe clarity ontheindependentauditprocess. process. The purposeofthe seminarwastoprovide by theauditorpriortocommencement ofthe were invitedtoaninformationseminarconducted In order toassistmembers,thoseselectedforaudit audit by random sample. 2016. The auditorselected22ofthese(10%)for who received thePRAin2015were auditablein audit by random sample.Atotalof221members the independentauditorselectsmembersfor relevant matters. Incarryingouttheauditprocess, the membersselectedforauditinrelation toall preparing anauditplanandcommunicatingwith responsibility, for independentlyoftheService, In conductingtheaudit,auditorhas and representational duties Goal 1: To provide they need to perform their parliamentary members with the high quality services n n following incomingparliamentarydelegations: (the IrishParliamentary Association)hostedthe Committee ofCumannParlaiminteach nahÉireann In 2016,theCeannComhairleandExecutive parliaments. delegations andmembersstaffofother visits from SpeakersofParliaments, parliamentary Each year, theHousesofOireachtas receive International Visitors totheHouses and otherinter-parliamentary associations. for SecurityandCo-operation inEurope (OSCE) the Parliamentary AssemblyoftheOrganisation the Inter-Parliamentary Union General Assembly, Parliamentary AssemblyoftheCouncilEurope, membership ofinternationalbodiessuchasthe an internationalparliamentaryrole through their Members ofbothHousestheOireachtas play International Role ofMembers Functionsparliamentary their InternationalandInter- Membersinundertaking Supporting of Latvia,andaParliamentary Delegation Murniece, SpeakeroftheSaeimaRepublic 22 November MsInara –HerExcellency of China,andaParliamentary Delegation Vice ChairmanoftheNationalPeople’s Congress 14-15 November Mr. –HisExcellency JiBingxuan, Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 59 Annual Report 2016 60 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report n n n of incomingvisitsduringtheyear asfollows: The HousesoftheOireachtas alsohostedanumber of thestatutoryorgans oftheCouncilEurope. of Europe (PACE), basedinStrasbourg, isone The Parliamentary Assembly oftheCouncil Parliamentary AssemblyoftheCouncilEurope 27 October. 135th General AssemblyheldinGeneva on23to In 2016,MembersoftheHousesattended Assembly meetstwiceayear, inMarch andOctober. between parliamentsoftheworld. The IPU This isthekeyinternationalforumforco-operation Parliamentary Unionsince1928,over 86years. Ireland hasbeenamemberoftheInter- Inter-Parliamentary UnionGeneral Assemblies of theOireachtas inNovember 2016. of thePeople’s Republic ofChinavisitedtheHouses A delegationfrom the NationalPeople’s Congress and representational duties Goal 1: To provide they need to perform their parliamentary members with the high quality services the GermanState Parliament ofBavaria 4 October–Parliamentary delegationfrom from theParliament of Victoria, Australia 27 September –Parliamentary delegation Young Political Leaders (ACYPL) 14 September –AmericanCouncilof Speaker oftheParliament ofLatvia,MsInâra Mûrniece. Ceann Comhairle,SeánÓFearghaíl TD, meeting with the fourplenarysessionsoftheParliamentary n the following PACE events: in In 2016,membersoftheHousesparticipated sixParliamentary AssemblyCommittee n twoElectionObservation Missions, n three plenarysessionsheldin Vienna (Austria), n in thefollowing OSCEevents: In 2016,membersoftheHousesparticipated parliamentary dialogue. States whoseprimarytaskistofacilitateinter- composed of323parliamentariansfrom itsMember in Europe Parliamentary Assembly(OSCEPA) is The Organisation forSecurityandCo-operation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly The Organisation forSecurity Co-operation twoelectionobservation missions, n April, JuneandSeptember Assembly, heldinStrasbourg inJanuary, meetings, heldthroughout theyear in BulgariaandMoldova. Tbilisi (Georgia), Skopje(Macedonia) in November in Kazakhstan inMarch, andinNew York members ofnationalparliamentsothercountries. contacts andpromote ongoingdialoguewith for membersoftheHousestofosterbilateral Parliamentary Friendship Groups provide aforum Formation ofParliamentary Friendship Groups n n n n n n n and events included: ininter-parliamentaryParticipation meetings Inter-Parliamentary MeetingsandEvents in2016 atSpeaker andOffice-HolderParticipation and representational duties Goal 1: To provide they need to perform their parliamentary members with the high quality services of EU Parliaments, Bratislavaof EU 6-8 October–InformalmeetingofSpeakers Europe memberstates,Strasbourg and SpeakersofParliament from Councilof 14-16 September –Conference ofPresidents of Minorities,Rome on Migration, Refugees andPersecution August–InternationalConference25-28 Isle ofMan 3-6 July–Openingof Tynwald Parliament, Parliaments, Luxembourgof EU 22-23 May–Conference ofSpeakers Community Library, London House ofCommonsatthelaunchIrish 18-19 April–MeetingwiththeSpeakerof at theEuropean Parliament, Brussels 18 Feb to2March–Ukraine Week Committee’s Oversight Garda andAccountability. Report: Síochána OmbudsmanCommission)atthelaunchof Ms JusticeMaryEllenRing(ChairpersonoftheGarda Josephine Feehily, (Chairpersonofthe Policing Authority), SíochánaInspectorate),Inspector oftheGarda Ms of theCommitteewithMr. K.Olson Robert (Chief Equality, DeputyCaoimhghínÓCaoláin,andmembers The ChairmanoftheJointCommitteeonJusticeand the activitiesofeachgroup. for progressing theobjectives andcoordinating of Convenors toeachgroup withresponsibility Ceann Comhairle’s officeregarding theappointment regions. Inter-Parliamentary Unitwillliaisewiththe 50 friendshipgroups across 10geographical 60 membersrequested tobeaffiliatedmore than Groups withwhichtheywishtobeaffiliated.Over Houses todeterminetheParliamentary Friendship Inter-Parliamentary Unitconsultedmembersofthe At therequest oftheCeannComhairle, Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 61 Annual Report 2016 62 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report n n theHousesin2016,including: to support needs. Arange ofnewICT solutionswere delivered requirements oftheHousesandtomeetmembers’ withtheevolvinginitiatives toalignitsservices of members. The ICT Unitcontinuestopursuenew theoperations oftheHousesandwork support Unitmanagesthedelivery that (ICT) ofICT services Information andCommunications Technology Technology Services Information andCommunications ofthisstrategic goal: support provided ofservices andachievementsOverview in to dotheirwork Goal 2: To provide memberswithmore flexibleandeffective toenablethem ICT services to dotheirwork ICT services toenablethem more flexibleandeffective To provide memberswith Goal 2: greater flexibility ICT costsavings,enhancedsecurityofdata,and InfrastructureVirtualisation tostaff, resulting in Desktop TherolloutVirtualisation: ofDesktop for theService. in-house forthefirsttimeresulting insavings provider,external ICT service wasundertaken task, whichwaspreviously outsourced toan following theDáilandSeanadelections. This transfer, renewal androll outofICT equipment Elections: Thesuccessfulmanagementofthe Provision ofMembers’ ICT Equipmentpost-

n n n n strategic objectives andoutcomes, including: implementation oftheICT strategic plan, progressFurther willbemadetowards Planned activitiesin2017 print andrelated processes and enhancedoperational efficienciesinthe hasledtocostsavings managed printservice Managed Print Service: The rollout ofa plan meetstherequired standard element oftheService’s businesscontinuity at thealternatesitetoensure that theICT Planning: Testing andrefinements carriedout Business ContinuityandDisasterRecovery recorded divisions intheHousewouldbeformally Dáil Reform thatabstentionsfrom voting at of arecommendation ofthesub-Committeeon implementation abstentions databasesupports Abstentions Database: The development ofthe members, theirstaffandthe staffoftheService work oftheHousesandtomeetneeds provision the ofcore to support ICT services continued communication technologyservices: Provision ofongoinginformation and n n n n n to dotheirwork Goal 2: To provide memberswithmore flexibleandeffective toenablethem ICT services in asecure ICT environment toensurethe ICT thatalluserswork services Policy Awareness Campaignamongusersof ICT security:implementationofICT Security principlesandstandards (ITIL) Information Technology Infrastructure Library programme deskstaffon forICT service Staff training: implementationofatraining of Ireland Chamber toanarea oftheNationalMuseum and thetemporary relocation oftheSeanad structural project forGeorgian Leinster House andfacilitiestoaccommodatethe services Georgian Leinster House Works: deliver ICT of thesesystems evaluation oftheoptionsforreplacement Local Area NetworkandPhoneSystems: Recovery site attheDisaster extending ICT services Planning: examinationoftheoptionsfor Disaster Recovery andBusinessContinuity Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 63 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 2016

64 Strategic Objective 3: Support Accessibility and Public Engagement A public that is well informed and more engaged with its Parliament

Goal 1: Greater public understanding, trust and pride in the Houses of the Oireachtas

Overview of services provided and achievements in support of this strategic goal:

Senator Niall Ó Donnghaile contributing to the Second Annual Report 2016 Communications Strategy Stage debate in the Seanad on the Recognition of Irish Implementation Sign Language for the Deaf Community Bill 2016.

The Communications Strategy for the Houses Accessibility of Oireachtas TV broadcasts was enhanced through the provision of signing and subtitled content is focused to support the Mission Statement on the Channel. under the Strategic Plan, A Parliament for the People. Implementation of the Strategy is Oireachtas TV delivered through initiatives focused on making the parliamentary proceedings accessible to all, raising 2016 saw significant advancements for Oireachtas awareness among the public of the important work TV on several fronts, including technical and of their parliament and increasing opportunities for editorial development with expansion into new public engagement with the work of the Houses. platforms and new partnerships.

The Channel began broadcasting on the Saorview television service in 2016, which has expanded coverage to 98% of the country. The Oireachtas Service also entered into new partnerships with independent broadcasters to source new content for the Channel through the broadcasting funding scheme, Sound & Vision 3, which is managed by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland. streams fortheChannel. European Parliament toopenupnewprogramming with othernationalparliamentarychannelsandthe Broadcasting Unitalsodeveloped relationships studio anddocumentaryprogramming. The initiative, aswell asasignificantscalingupof broadcast productions, establishedasanew During theyear there were anumberofoutside content andchannelfeatures ofOireachtas TV. January 2016,withresponsibility todevelop the A newBroadcast Managerwasappointedin on various aspectsofthe1916EasterRising. The delivered by academics andcommentators,focused Reading Room ofLeinster House. The talks, Historical Talks Serieswhichtookplaceinthe Broadcasting Unitorganised theLeinster House In theyear of2016commemorations, the production oftheseriesforOireachtas TV. referendum). Itisplannedtoincrease parliamentary positions;andBrexit (post- the D’HondtSystem fortheallocationof Parliament; DáilReform; Brexit (pre-referendum); RepresentationProportional ; theRole of produced sixprogrammes inthisseries: the parliamentarysystem. The broadcast team and debatesby academicsonkeydevelopments in Oireachtas TV Debateswhichfeatures discussions developed theconceptofadiscussionshow called Over thecourseof2016,Broadcasting Unit Goal 1:Greater publicunderstanding,trustandprideintheHousesofOireachtas country. parliamentary businesstoviewers across the increasing publicinterest andawareness ofthe proceedings oftheHousesOireachtas and the core functionoftheChannel–broadcasting the produce additionalcontentwhilstalsoimproving expandthecapacityto being developed tofurther A long-termplanfortheChanneliscurrently and subtitledcontentontheChannel. enhanced through theprovision ofsigning who are deaforwithhearingdifficultieswas all platforms.Accessibilityofbroadcasts forpeople improving theElectronic Programme Guideacross inform thepubliconbroadcast scheduleby features andintroduced initiatives tobetter The Broadcasting UnitupdatedtheChannel heritage ofLeinster House. architect Mr. BrianConnollyonthearchitectural Leaguethe influenceofGaelic in1916and Titley (EmeritusProfessor on ofModernIrish,UCC) the womenof1916andwriterscholarMr. Alan conditions in1916,historianMsSinéadMcCooleon from theNationalArchives ofIreland onsocial aftermath ofthe1916Rising,MsCatrionaCrowe Professor ofHistory, ontheleaduptoand UCD) speakers were Mr. MichaelLaffan(Emeritus Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 65 Annual Report 2016 66 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report on scheduleforrelease in2017. the website toenhanceaccessibilityandremains underway, isfocusedonacompleterevision of The website redevelopment project, currently year. million pageviewsintotalover thecourseof received almost1.49millionvisitsandover 6.3 over 2millionpageviewsduring2016. The website the twoHousesandtheirCommitteesgenerated work oftheHouses.Live streaming ofdebatesin publiccommunicationchannelforthe important The website oftheHousescontinuestobeavery enhancing accessibility Website Redevelopment Project – parliamentary information. facilitate theexchange andre-use of and Reform’s OpenDataInitiative, inorder to ofPublic Expenditure line withtheDepartment information available onlineinopenformats continuestoworktowardsThe Service making Publication ofInformationinOpenDataFormats Goal 1:Greater publicunderstanding,trustandprideintheHousesofOireachtas of interest. Twitter wasalsousedeffectively during members oftheDáilandattracted asignificantlevel Comhairle wasconductedby asecret ballotofall This wasthefirsttimeelection oftheCeann of votes in theelectionofCeannComhairle. presented tothepublicinreal-time onthecounting account @OireachtasNews. Informationwas public through theofficialOireachtas Twitter Information wasproactively presented tothe increase thenumberoffollowers ontheseplatforms. formats through various social media platforms and to information ontheworkofHousesinmultiple leverage further social mediatoolstopresent of theyear, theCommunicationsUnitsoughtto over ofourcommunicationsefforts thecourse As part Social MediaCommunicationandEngagement Public Engagement ofthisstrategic goal: support provided ofservices andachievementsOverview in publicly available atthattime. Interfaces (APIs) oftheseresources willbemade In addition,opendataApplicationProgramming end userswhenthenewwebsite islive in2017. in 2016. The transformed datawillbevisibleto questions andbills,wassuccessfullycompleted parliamentary debates,divisions, of resources intoopenstandards, including the extraction andtransformation ofanumber ofthewebsite redevelopmentAs part project, with thepeople strengthens its engagement An Open Parliament that Goal 2:

followers in2016. accounts alsohadasteadygrowth inthenumberof The Oireachtas Instagram andLinkedInsocialmedia First Minister’s address totheSeanadviaFacebook. and Australia amongthosewhofollowed the times, withviewers inScotland, Wales, Canada Facebook pageandwasviewed over 34,000 Sturgeon MSP, wasalsolive streamed onthe Éireann by theFirstMinister ofScotland,Nicola viewed over 23,000 times. The address toSeanad Facebook live streamed Budget 2017whichwas the Facebook LIVEfeature, theOireachtas News the courseofyear. With theintroduction of steadily withanincrease of1,000followers over The Oireachtas Facebook following alsogrew Media by aState Body. including inthecategoryforBestUseofSocial Account wasnominatedforthree ‘SockieAwards’ the secondconsecutive year, theOireachtas Twitter 23,800 people,anincrease of3,800on2015.For @OireachtasNews following grew tomore than with theSeanadElection. two million Twitter impressions were associated 7.3 million Twitter impressions madein2016.Over including onlineengagement,resulted injustover Other initiatives overseen by thesocialmediateam, count astheywere announcedatthecountcentre. the SeanadElectiontopresent theresults ofeach Goal 2:AnOpenParliament thatstrengthens itsengagementwiththepeople engage themintheworkofHouses. tovisitLeinsteropportunity Houseandto students andschoolswhohave nothadthe toreach those provides opportunity animportant a free educationalresource onthewebsite. Italso making anddemocracy andismadeavailable as information ontheparliamentarysystem,law- curriculum. The educationprogramme provides oftheJuniorCertificate syllabusaspart (CSPE) delivery oftheCivic,SocialandPolitical Education teachers,studentsandschoolsinthe to support The OnlineEducationProgramme continues Online EducationProgramme media. focusedvideos,madeavailable onsocial short were explored in2016,includingthrough theuseof public andthemediaaboutworkofHouses New methodsofdisseminatinginformationtothe webcast live onthewebsite oftheHouses. and 25thSeanad.Committeemeetingsare also of thenewCommitteesestablishedin32ndDáil seeking topromote awareness ofthework Committee Chairpersonsandmembersin provide tonew afullmediaandpress service election. CommitteePress Officerscontinuedto dissolution ofthe31stDáilandsubsequentgeneral Communications Unit. This arose mainlyfrom the of general mediaqueriesresponded toby the During 2016there wasanincrease inthenumber Media Engagement Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 67 Annual Report 2016 68 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report the ChairofIrishRed Cross. the AssociationofCityandCountyCouncils Commissioner,of Cork,theGarda thePresident of Éireann, theLord Mayor ofDublin, theLord Mayor Comhairle and includes the Cathaoirleach of Seanad of society. The Councilischaired by theCeann by peoplefrom allwalksoflifeandsections recognition by theState of deedsofbravery established in1947toprovide forsuitable theDeedsofBraveryGaile, Council,whichwas The honoursare awarded by ComhairlenaMíre stories oftheaward recipients. outstanding deedsofbravery andtheinspiring on Oireachtas TV allowing viewers tohearthe The ceremony wasbroadcast live, initsentirety, recognition oftheiroutstandingactsbravery. Comhairle presented awards to29recipients in in Farmleigh HouseonFriday 28October. The Ceann The NationalBravery Awards ceremony tookplace National Bravery Ceremony Awards National Bravery Awards 2016. Goal 2:AnOpenParliament thatstrengthens itsengagementwiththepeople theelectionof Taoiseach n thefirstsittingdayof25thSeanad n thefirstsittingdayof32ndDáil n Houses over thecourseofyear including: foranumberofkeyevents inthe and support Superintendent andUsherstaffprovided services for managingvisitoraccesstotheHouses. The by theHouses. The Section alsohasresponsibility parliamentary meetingsandofficialevents hosted Parliamentary Committees,includinghigh-level forthesittingsofHousesand support The Superintendent’s Sectionprovides operational programme. demonstrates thepopularityofpublictour demand forguidedtoursofLeinster House conducted twicedailyonnon-sittingdays. The high which includedwalk-uptoursthatare normally inguidedtoursoftheHouses2016 participated parliamentary events. Over 52,000visitors on thehistoryofbuildingandotherkey the Parliamentary Usherswhoprovide information Guided toursofLeinster Houseare ledby Committee meetings. delegations andwitnessesattendingParliamentary Cathaoirleach oftheSeanad,visitingparliamentary dignitaries hostedby theCeannComhairleand with membersoftheHousesaswell asvisiting accompanying teachers,constituentsmeeting House, educationalvisitsby schoolchildren and inguidedtoursofLeinsterthe publicparticipating of visitorseachyear, includingvisitsby membersof The Housescontinuetoreceive alarge number reached over 103,000. In 2016,thenumberofvisitorstoLeinster House Visitors totheHouses electionsoftheCeannComhairle,Leas Ceann n theelectioncountforto n BudgetDay n the7thAnnualSeminarof n Leinster Housefree publictoursforthe n range of catering services atpeak demandtimes range ofcateringservices Presentation Lunch. Theyalsoprovided awide Meagher Foundation’s 2016Scholarship Human DignityAwards Dinner andtheThomas the Housesduringyear suchastheAnnual anumberofevents hostedby membersof support The cateringteamprovided to cateringservices to theHousesandotherusersofservice. the workofHouses,membersandstaff, visitors provide of The CateringServices cateringinsupport intheHouses Catering Services and practices. communications forum on health and safety policies discuss healthandsafetymattersalsoactsasa The HealthandSafetyCommitteemeetsregularly to General inJuly2016. Statement wasapproved by theSecretary and theupdatedHealthSafetyPolicy House. AHealthandSafetyAuditwascarriedout environment forallwhoworkinandvisitLeinster and safetymanagementplantoensure asafe implementeditshealth In 2016,theService Workplace HealthandSafetyPolicy Goal 2:AnOpenParliament thatstrengthens itsengagementwiththepeople the Leas Cathaoirleach Comhairle, CathaoirleachoftheSeanadand 25th Seanad Irish AssociationofFormer Parliamentarians Open Housearchitectural event. the utilisationofsystemforstockmanagement. systemare plannedfor2017,including to theEPOS restaurant enhancements salesinformation.Further system hasallowed ofbarand efficientreporting full year thesystemwasinoperation. The EPOS delivery inthecateringfacilities.2016wasfirst enhancedservice in2015hasfurther system (EPOS) The introduction ofanelectronic pointofsales election ofthe Taoiseach. Comhairle andLeas CeannComhairle,andthe day ofthe25thSeanad,electionCeann sitting dayofthe32ndDáilandfirst both Houses.Suchoccasionsincludedthefirst and forspecialevents following theelectionsto Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 69 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 2016

70 Strategic Objective 4: Develop our Capability and our Staff An organisation with a focus on continuous improvement, high performance and learning

Goal 1: Overview of Current Operating Environment At the end of December 2016, there were 485 High performing, engaged sanctioned civil service posts in the Service of and motivated staff which 450 were filled. There were eight non- established state employees comprising five civilian Overview of services provided and achievements in drivers and three staff of Oireachtas Office-Holders. support of this strategic goal: In addition, there were 40 staff employed in the Catering Services and Print Facility. Management of Human Resources Annual Report 2016 The Services’ Statement of Resources is set Human Resource (HR) Services provide services out in Appendix II. to members of the Houses, their staff and staff of the Service, including recruitment, induction, performance management, training and Scheme for Secretarial Assistance for Members development, payroll, pension and other Under the Scheme for Secretarial Assistance personnel administration functions. for Members (the Scheme), 525 staff, 439 full-time equivalent posts, were employed by members at the end of 2016. Staff employed under the Scheme are the employees of the member, or party, concerned and are not public servants. However, staff employed under the Scheme are paid by the Commission. Accordingly, all personnel administration functions in relation to pay, leave and other employee services are undertaken by the HR Unit for Members.

European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr. Phil Hogan, addressed the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine on Reform of the Common Agricultural Policy. coordinated election-related responsibilities n Services: HR oftheelectionplanningprocess, In support the elections. Dáil andthereconvening oftheHousesfollowing responsibilities relating tothedissolutionof of theService’s statutoryandadministrative coordinated thedelivery Services, the HeadofHR Planning Steering Group. The Group, chaired by through theElection election planfortheService was thecoordination andimplementationofthe in2016 Services One ofthemainactivitiesforHR Election PlanningandImplementation organised theMemberLiaisonOfficer n publishedresources formembers,including n workedwiththeICT Unitonthedevelopment n undertook resource planningtoensure undertook that n reviewed implementation oftheelection n Goal 1:Highperforming,engagedandmotivated staff the Steering Group anddirectedacross theworkof theService during theirfirstweeks inLeinster House to anewmemberoftheHousesassistthem wasassigned member ofstafftheService Programme, underwhichanexperienced the Houses in and informationonprocesses andservices dissolution guidelines,members’ handbooks members andtoavoid duplicationofwork streamline requests forinformation from of theMembers’ Administration System to and 24thSeanad arising from thedissolutionof31stDáil in placetomanagetheincreased workload had thenecessarystaff sections intheService planning planning process toguide future election are setoutinthefollowing sections. Service priorities, thekeyactivitiesofeachHR Assistance. Inadditiontomeetingoperational staff employed undertheSchemeforSecretarial membersoftheHousesandtheir of theService, Training,of HR, Pension andPayroll tostaff Services administerarange Services Human Resources (HR) Administration ofHumanResources Services 3 Staff ofOfficeHolders 40 State Industrialstaff(FTE) staff(FTE) 485 CivilService Staffing Levels Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 71 Annual Report 2016 72 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report reassignment andredeployment of n Key in2016 activitiesundertaken HR Unit–Recruitment allocation of additional resources to support allocationofadditionalresources tosupport n recruitment of additional staff to support recruitment ofadditionalstafftosupport n implementationofinductionprogrammes n implementationofstaffingarrangements for n development oflonger-term Strategy HR n and initiatives for2017 Objectives andplannedactivities implementationoftheAnnual Resource Plan n Goal 1:Highperforming,engagedandmotivated staff of theBankingInquiry Banking InquiryStaff oncompletion the 32ndDáiland25thSeanad elections tobothHousesandinpreparation for increased workloadallocationsarisingfrom the and increased demandacross theService implementation ofDáilReform initiatives for new staff joining the Service in2016 for newstaffjoiningtheService and 25thSeanad Oireachtas Office-Holdersinthe32ndDáil planning meet businessneedsandmanagesuccession to identifyresources andskillsrequired to for theService House. International CommitteeoftheRed Cross, atLeinster Smith meetingwithMr. Peter Maurer, President ofthe Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan andDeputyBrendan provision ofinformation,adviceandservices n Key in2016 activitiesundertaken HR Unit–Administration HR policy development – participation in policydevelopment –participation HR n managementofindustrialrelations matters n administration oftravel schemes n attendance at DPER Employee Relations attendanceatDPER n assessment of moving to HR Shared Services Shared assessmentofmoving Services toHR n participation at HR Business Process Mapping atHR participation n ongoingimplementationof Records n to staffoftheService (DPER) HR Circular Review HR Workshops(DPER) ofPublic Expenditure andReform Department Network Meetings (PeoplePoint) and Improvement Project Management Project simplificationofPerformance n activities andinitiatives for2017 Objectives andplanned contributedtotheelectionplanningteam n Key activitiesin2016 HR UnitforMembers enhancecorporate governance n processed 209redundancy applications n planning for the transition to HR Shared planningforthetransition toHR n rollout ofUnderperformanceGuidelines n implementationofProbation AppealGuidelines n prepared thedraft statutoryinstrument n added employees of members and parties addedemployees ofmembersandparties n transferred ministerialstafftotheScheme n provided adviceonemployment matters n Goal 1:Highperforming,engagedandmotivated staff (PMDS) Form tobeissuedin2017 (PMDS) Management Development System Employers Handbook employment contracts andanew new Schemeinformationbooklet, and sub-teams,updatedpublisheda and financialmonitoring following theDáilandSeanadelections Services (PeoplePoint) Services to co-ordinators oftechnicalgroups including theprovision ofadditionalfacilities secretarial facilitiestomembersandparties, for enactmentby theCommissiontoprovide from government departments to payroll andmanagedstafftransfers the beginningof32ndDáil for Secretarial Assistancewitheffectfrom of employment including adviceontermsand conditions of theOireachtas. Young Political Leaders duringtheirvisittotheHouses meeting withadelegationoftheAmericanCouncil The Clerk-AssistantofDáilÉireann, MsElaineGunn, establishanEmployee Assistance n and initiatives for2017 Objectives andplannedactivities develop andimplementanoverpayments n provide tomembersintheirroles support n the SchemeforSecretarial Assistance Programme forstaffemployed under and theFinanceUnit Policy, jointlywithService’s SalariesSection as employers Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 73 Annual Report 2016 74 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report there were 424formermembers’ pensionsatthe n as follows: arrangements following the2016general elections administered theterminationandpensions payments tomembers,thePensions Unit In additiontothemanagementofpension Key activitiesin2016 Members’ Pensions Unit changes to the Public Service Pension changestothePublic Service n provide informationonpensionstoallnew n for 2017 Objectives andplannedactivitiesinitiatives completepaymentofterminationpayments n implement changes to the Public Service implementchangestothePublic Service n Goal 1:Highperforming,engagedandmotivated staff following theelectionstobothHouses end of2016;there were 42newpensionsin2016 for the2017Januarypayroll were calculated at the end of 2016 in preparation Reduction rates (PSPR) were applied. These members advisingthemoftheirrelevant scheme as aresult ofthegeneral elections Pension Reduction rates (PSPR) training coursesinLotus Notes,MS Word n constituencydatabasetraining n 2016 included: in Some ofthetraining coursesundertaken Training formembersandtheirstaff Houses andmembers’ staff, andstaffoftheService. tomembersof the development opportunities range oftraining programmes andprofessional The Training andDevelopment Unitprovides a Training andProfessional Development the Economy of the Northern Ireland Assembly.the EconomyofNorthern Innovation meetingwithmembersoftheCommitteefor Members oftheJointCommitteeonJobs,Enterpriseand healthandsafetytraining, including n socialmediatraining n Irishlanguagecourses n healthandwellbeing seminars n fire warden training n and MSExcel occupational firstaid healthandsafetytraining including n performancemanagementworkshops n coachingformanagers n JuniorClerkdevelopment course n ClericalOfficerdevelopment course n in2016included: Some ofthetraining undertaken at externaltraining programmes, asappropriate. provided in-houseandalsothrough attendance and personaldevelopment training. Training was of areas encompassingtechnical,professional provided inabroad toStaff range oftheService Training were andlearninginterventions of theOireachtas Service Training forStaff oftheHouses Irishlanguagecourses(Beginner n inductiontraining programmes n healthandwellbeing seminars n fire warden training n Project Management–Prince 2foundation n foundationtraining ITIL n Units: and HR following programmes were delivered tostaffinICT facilitate continuousprofessional development, the which seekstostrengthen staffcapabilityand RenewalIn accordance Plan, withtheCivilService CIPD Diplomain HumanResources CIPD n inHumanResources Certificate CIPD n BusinessProcesses Improvement n Goal 1:Highperforming,engagedandmotivated staff occupational firstaid and Intermediate/Advanced) and practitioner address toSeanadÉireann on5October2016. Continental Group) ontheoccasionofMr. Cooney’s O’Donovan, meetingwithMr. ManusCooney(American Cathaoirleach ofSeanadÉireann, SenatorDenis further studies. further toundertake availedService ofthisopportunity In theacademicyear 2016/2017,80staffofthe on itsstrategic objectives. indelivering theService area ofstudythatsupports provides topursuean themwiththeopportunity in career andpersonaldevelopment forstaffand role The Schemecontinuestoplayanimportant conditions. subject tocertain educational institution,refunded oradvanced relevant courses provided by anaccredited for designatedthird level coursesofstudy, orother mayapplytohave theappropriatethe Service fees under thisRefund/Advance ofFees Schemestaffof offered through the Training andDevelopment Unit, In additiontothetraining anddevelopment courses Refund/Advance ofFees Scheme Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 75 Annual Report 2016 76 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report undertake atraining needsanalysisproject to undertake n and initiatives for2017 Objectives andplannedactivities development androll outofLeadership n development anddelivery oftheManager’s n continuedimplementationoftheService’s n ongoingtraining forstafftostrengthen capacity n pilottraining anddevelopment e-Learning n by officialsfrom otherParliaments. alsohostsstudyvisitstotheHouses the Service programme withtheGermanBundestag.Eachyear in anannualbilateral parliamentarystaffexchange participates The HousesoftheOireachtas Service and Study Visits Inter-Parliamentary Staff Programmes Exchange Goal 1:Highperforming,engagedandmotivated staff conjunction withongoingrole profile project) in order tomeetstrategic objectives (in identify gapsinknowledge, skills,andtraining Development Programmes Tool KitProgramme development programmes staff performing teams,andfurther delivery ofmodulesincoachingandhigh Organisational Development Initiative through Service Renewal Plan Service and capabilityinaccordance withtheCivil learning content modules andincrease delivery ofonline implemented10,000formalpayroll instructions/ n Key activitiesin2016 Salaries Unit engagedinscopingofPayroll Shared Service n upgraded thepayroll systemforapproximately n rollout of online overtime system for civil service rollout ofonlineovertime systemforcivilservice n for 2017 Objectives andplannedActivitiesInitiatives rolled outnewversion ofonlinepayslips n further engagementwithPayroll Shared further Service n other Parliaments. knowledge andexperienceswithstafffrom toshare forstaffoftheService opportunity These exchange programmes provide animportant withtheGermanBundestag. exchange opportunity inastaff two membersofstaffparticipated Knesset (parliamentofIsrael). InDecember2016, by adelegationfrom theFrench Senateandthe hostedvisits In September2016,theService changes for civil service andpoliticalstaff changes forcivilservice Centre project 1,200 end-users staff andemployed by members Centre Project TheInternalCommunicationsGroup held n Key activitiesin2016 reform initiativespublic service fortheService. Service’s Organisational Development Initiative and the hasaleadrole insupporting Services HR Implementation Organisational Development andReform Reform andHRStrategy Unit– Mr. Robin Barnett,BritishAmbassadortoIreland. Foreign Affairs, Trade andDefence,meetingwithH.E. Deputy Brendan Smith,ChairoftheJointCommitteeon Changestoimprove theService’s intranet, n ThePONetwork,AP Networkand n Goal 1:Highperforming,engagedandmotivated staff will belaunchedinearly2017 staff through aseriesoffocusgroups. The Plan which wasrefined following consultations with Internal CommunicationsPlanfortheService, a numberofmeetingsin2016toprepare an guest speakers. events throughout theyear which included Network, heldanumberofmeetings and the HigherExecutive Officer/SeniorClerk increase usageamongstaff efficiency anduser-friendliness and The Plinth,are underwaytoimprove its An Líonra, in reporting in and reporting editing skills and the methodologies the proceedings oftheHousestoshare bestpractice of in producing andpublishingtheOfficialReport and events provides forstaffinvolved opportunities conferences Attendance atparliamentaryreporting ConferencesParliamentary Reporting andEvents practice onparliamentaryprocedure andprocesses. information andexchanging experiencesandbest officials from otherparliamentsandsharing building professional linkswithparliamentary through forstaffoftheService opportunities professional developmentmeetings are important inparliamentarynetworksand Participation Continuing Professional Development Civil Service Renewal Plan ActionsunderCivilService n launchoftheLeadership Standard along n for 2017 Objectives andplannedactivitiesinitiatives consultationonthenextphaseofPublic n planningforimplementationofthenextphase n Delivery PlanfortheService. development oftheIntegrated Reform and The Reform andStrategy Unitalsooversaw the Service’s performancemanagementprocess. Governance Framework; andstrengthening the Innovation Awards; publicationoftheService’s and Excellence promotion oftheCivilService tostaffthroughSurvey theStaff Networks;the Employee Engagement the firstCivilService included: thedisseminationofresults of with aLeadership Development Programme Service Reform Plan2017-2019 Service of Organisational Development Initiative Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 77 Annual Report 2016 78 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report representatives from theDebatesOffice n exchanges: following conferences andparliamentarystaff inthe In 2016,theDebatesOfficeparticipated of theparliamentaryproceedings. and technologiesusedtoproduce theOfficialReport theDebatesOfficehostedthree visitsfrom n one Parliamentary Reporter participated ina participated oneParliamentary Reporter n theDebatesOfficeheldanoff-siteknowledge n participated inthe conference. participated and theHousesofOireachtas Service Assembly of Wales, Ireland Assembly theNorthern lawyers from theHouseofCommons,National by the Welsh Assemblyin2016. Parliamentary Ireland Parliamentary Lawyers’ Conference hosted and Legal intheAnnualUK Advisersparticipated other Parliaments. attend networkingevents withlegaladvisersfrom training to coursesandavailing ofopportunities professional development by attendinglegal continuing inundertaking advisers are supported enhance theirskillsandcompetencies.Alllegal professional development coursesthataimto Legal are encouraged Adviser(OPLA) toattend Legal Advisersfrom OfficeoftheParliamentary Parliamentary Lawyers’ Network Goal 1:Highperforming,engagedandmotivated staff in August Association ofCanada(HAC) conferences andtheHansard Association (BIPRA) British IrishParliamentary Reporting attended andpresented papersatthe Official Report sectionsinotherParliaments Official Report team intheHouseofLords staff exchange withamemberofthereporting sharing andcollaborative learningday presentation wasrecorded forOireachtas TV. (Emeritus Professor, Trinity College). The Election Study 2016from Mr. MichaelMarsh received apresentation ontheIrishNational June, asafollow-up totheconference, the Network appreciative leadership, andelectoral change.In presentations onstrategy, changemanagement, speakers from bothbusinessandacademiawith theme was2016–atimeofchange.There were annual conference inJanuary2016. The conference The Principal Officer(PO)Networkhelditssecond Principal OfficerNetwork highlights foreachNetworkin2016are setoutbelow. policies. a forumforconsultationonService-wide The strategic objectives. The Networksalsoprovide and contributetotheachievement oftheService’s knowledge sharingandcollaborative working staff atequivalent grades, provide aforumfor todevelop professional opportunities linksbetween a numberofstaffnetworksthatseektofacilitate thedevelopment of hassupported The Service Staff Networks intheseminar.also participated Ireland Assembly Parliament andtheNorthern Isle ofMan,Guernsey, Welsh Assembly, Scottish Clerks from HouseofCommons,Lords, Assembly, Jersey, inOctober2016.Parliamentary and IslandsClerks’ Seminarhostedby theStates Irish intheannualUK, Three Clerksparticipated Parliamentary Clerks’ Network meetings inthesection. routinely implementedthrough informationsharing updating staffonrelevant legaldevelopments is and Sharing legalopinionsacross theOPLA developing of Service-wide developing ofService-wide n establishingaRecords ManagementUnit n developing anewStrategic PlanfortheService n initiatives. Highlightsfor2016included: Service toprogress arangemeetings asanopportunity of the Networkheldfourmeetings.POsusedthese The PONetworkaimstomeetbi-monthly. In2016 People and Organisational Development n policy HR n redeveloping thewebsite oftheHouses n ICT security n conducted intheService. and theresults ofthe Tacit Knowledge Survey Survey, in2015, conductedacross theCivilService oftheEmployeeresults Engagement fortheService the results totheNetwork: oftwostaffsurveys from Sectionpresented theSecretary General. HR overview ofthedraft Strategic PlanfortheService Mountjoy Prison). The Networkalsoreceived an Context from Mr. JohnLonergan (formerGovernor of a presentation onLeadership inaPublic Sector The AssistantPrincipal OfficerNetworkreceived Assistant Principal OfficerNetwork 2014. obligations undertheProtected Disclosures Act Committee onimplementationoftheService’s totheManagement The PONetworkalsoreported leadershiptraining forseniormanagement n Goal 1:Highperforming,engagedandmotivated staff enterprise architecture programme “parent” Department to report to.“parent” toreport Itsmembership, Department body, butisa hybridstatutorybodywithouta It isnotaGovernment or semi-State Department It isuniqueintermsofitsstructure andmandate. is independentintheperformanceofitsfunctions. The Commissionisastatutorycorporate bodyand the establishmentofCommission. 2003 (asamended)isthelegislative basisfor The HousesoftheOireachtas CommissionAct Governance Overview ofthisstrategic goal: support provided ofservices andachievementsOverview in Seanad. members nominatedandelectedtothe25th The ClerkofSeanadÉireann reads thenamesof Psychology, University ofLimerick. a Networkfrom Dr. of Breda O’Connell,Department Network, received apresentation onTheBenefitsof An Líonra, The HigherExecutive Officer/SeniorClerk Clerk Network An Líonra, theHigherExecutive Officer/Senior Good CorporateGovernance Goal 2:

Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 79 Annual Report 2016 80 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report within the civil service normintermsofits within thecivilservice Committee. Therefore, theCommissionisfirmly management guidelines;travel policy;andAudit internal audit;controls; project policy, legislationandguidelines;riskmanagement; public financialprocedures; publicprocurement governancecivil service framework, including complieswithallofthepillars The Service with theSecretary General/Accounting Officer. Responsibility forinternalcontrol systemsresides Corporate Governance Assurance Framework and tothegeneral public. of responsive tobothHouses,members services administration oftheParliament andinthedelivery accountability andcontinuousimprovement inthe withafocusonperformance, for theService implemented aneffective governance framework Since itsestablishment,theCommissionhas the Secretary General ofaGovernment Department. relationship between aGovernment Ministerand isanalogoustothe General oftheService) Commission anditsChiefExecutive (theSecretary 1997, meaningthattherelationship between the provisions ManagementAct ofthePublic Service the Government. The CommissionActsreplicate the Service”) are civilservants oftheState, rather than Staff oftheCommission(known collectively as“the covering theperiod2016-2018. budget allocationfortheHousesis€369m andOffices. The currentDepartments three-year annual Votes process applicabletoGovernment ofthe Central Fund, whichmeansthatitisnotpart direct accesstoathree year drawdown from the legislation anditsbudgetingarrangements give it functions andresponsibilities are setoutin Goal 2:GoodCorporate Governance reports quarterly onongoingexpenditure to quarterly reports n managesandmonitorsongoingexpenditure n day-to-day basis,which: function ismanagedby theFinanceUnitona mechanisms. measurement andreporting This by meansofeffective budgeting,monitoring, Commission’s overall financialperformance The Secretary General isaccountableforthe Financial ManagementandReporting annually tobothHousesoftheOireachtas. governance arrangements andreports prepares theCommission’s AnnualAccount n assiststheC&AG’s Officeintheirinterim n prepares theCommission’s AnnualEstimatefor n Prepares theCommission’s three-year budget n Commission’s AnnualReport. basis by theC&AG andare publishedinthe liabilities. The Accounts are auditedonanannual regarding accruedincome,commitments and basis, theyalsoshow thenetpositionatyear-end Acts. While theAccountsare prepared onacash and Reform undersection14(1)oftheCommission as approved by theMinisterforPublic Expenditure Appropriation Account in theformofaCivilService The AccountsoftheCommissionare produced the FinanceCommitteeandCommission to the ManagementCommitteeandquarterly March ofeachyear Comptroller andAuditorGeneral (C&AG) by 31 for submissionby theSecretary General tothe and annualauditoftheCommissionAccounts Commission approval andnoting by theDáil framework forapproval by theCommission General, issetoutatAppendixIV. been auditedby theComptroller andAuditor The Commission’s AnnualAccount2016,whichhas give evidenceontheaccountsasrequired. appear before theCommitteeofPublic Accountsto Oireachtas AccountingOfficermaybeinvitedto of weaknesses inthesystem ofinternalcontrol. The instancesofthefinancial consequences the reports control inplacetheorganisation andhighlightsin regard tothesystemofinternal has particular C&AG, incarryingouttheauditofAnnualAccounts, Committee andanInternalAuditfunction. The hasanAudit confirmation thattheService compliance withprocurement guidelinesand and internalcontrol. Itincludesastatementof administrative procedures, managementreporting financial control environment, theframework of includingthe environment withintheService, Service. The Statement setsouttheinternalcontrol financial controls ismaintainedandoperated by the assurance thataneffective systemofinternal of theAppropriation Accountandgives reasonable which issignedby theAccountingOfficer, formspart A Statement onInternalFinancialControl (SIFC), Goal 2:GoodCorporate Governance Committee inanadvisorycapacity. Auditor attendsmeetingsof theRiskManagement Committee andtheRiskCo-Ordinator. The Internal staff members,aswell astheRiskManagement Committee, SectionHeadsanddown toindividual from theSecretary General, Management responsibilities forallstaffinthe Oireachtas – . of theService The Policy identifiesroles and procedures orlegalandregulatory requirements exposures donotinfringeontheoperating the businessobjectives provided theresultant andachieve theinterest oftheService to further andusinginnovativeopportunities approaches the takingofcontrolled risks,capitalisingonnew The Service’s RiskManagement Policy encourages Audit Committee. Committee, theManagementCommitteeand 2016, andare approved by theRiskManagement Guidelines forGovernment andOffices Departments Public Expenditure andReform’s RiskManagement framework of are guidedby theDepartment The Service’s riskmanagement policyand Service’s operations. about theregularity, propriety andefficiencyofthe Accounting Officertoprovide appropriate assurance mechanisms putinplaceby theSecretary General/ Effective riskmanagementisoneofthe Risk Management Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 81 Annual Report 2016 82 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report for corporate governance intoonereference point. together theService’s mainpoliciesandprocedures published tothewebsite inMarch 2016andbrings Framework, basedonthesecentral standards, was structures. The Service’s Corporate Governance and todescribetheiraccountabilityreporting are structured, directed, controlled, managed, andOffices Departments to how allcivilservice The objective oftheFramework istobringclarity Governance Framework fortheCivilService. Renewal Plan–tosetacommon Civil Service inresponse toAction3ofthe the CivilService published aCorporate Governance Standard for of Public Expenditure andReform subsequently accountability fortheCivilService. The Department new arrangements forenhancedgovernance and Renewal Plan2014setsout The CivilService for theOireachtas Corporate Governance Framework basis. Committee onaquarterly Committee onamonthlybasisandtheAudit totheManagement materialisations are reported Operational risksnearmissesand/or onanannualbasis. undertaken actions. The review oftheRisk Register is primary toolforrisktracking andriskmitigation of aLotus Notesdatabase. The Register isthe Register andaStrategic RiskRegister intheformat The Oireachtas operates anOperational Risk Management Committee. on theagendaofAuditCommitteeand systems intheOireachtas. Riskisastandingitem ontheeffectivenessreports oftherisk management in reviewing riskmanagementandinternalaudit role toplay The AuditCommitteehasanimportant Goal 2:GoodCorporate Governance the Commission’s three year budgetallocation. Committee,andisalignedwith the Partnership includingapresentation to staff oftheService, prepared following extensive consultationwith over thethree year periodoftheplan.Itwas mandate togetherwithitsobjectives andpriorities willfulfilitsstatutory that informhow theService of parliamentaryreform, outlinesthevalues in thecontextofacomprehensive programme The Strategic Plan2016-2018,whichwasdeveloped 16(4) oftheCommissionActs. obligation oftheSecretary General undersection three-year periodoftheCommissionisastatutory The preparation oftheStrategic Planforeach Plan 2016-2018 Strategic Plan2016-2018andCorporate Business which itoperates. conduct, itsvalues andthegovernance systemsby The Framework setsouttheService’s standards of Support theHousesofOireachtas and Support n level strategies were identifiedfortheService: Arising from theconsultationprocess, fourhigh- functions. necessary fortheeffective performanceofits month whentheHousesare sitting,orasmay be of theOireachtas Commissionmeetsatleastoncea In exercising itsgovernance functions,theHouses ofGovernance– Exercise Functions Houses oftheOireachtas Commission (Chairperson oftheCommission)andSenatorNedO’Sullivan. Catherine Murphy, SenatorGerard P. Craughwell, DeputyJoeCarey, DeputySeánÓFearghaíl, CeannComhairle Commission), Mr. MichaelErrity, AssistantSecretary, DeputyLouise (Corporate andMembersServices), O’Reilly, Deputy Standing leftto right:Mr. Peter Finnegan,ClerkofDáilÉireann andSecretary General (ChiefExecutive ofthe stakeholders. Committees andtheirmembersall theHouses,their enable ittosuccessfullysupport overroadmap fortheService thenextthree years to goalsprovideThese strategies and12supporting a Develop ourCapabilityandStaff n Promote AccessibilityandPublic Engagement n MembersintheirConstitutionalRoles Support n Goal 2:GoodCorporate Governance the Parliamentary Reform Agenda elections. sitting patternoftheHousesfollowing the number ofmeetingsheldinthisperiodreflects the on thenumberofsittingdaysduring2016. The and theensuingelectionstobothHousesimpacted The dissolutionofDáilÉireann on3February 2016 office-holders andstaff. key stakeholders,includingmembers,Oireachtas measured through thesatisfactionlevels ofour them. Progress towards achievements willbe accountable forthedelivery ofthetasksassignedto the Secretary General andseniormanagerswhoare measured through formalreview meetingsbetween Progress onthedelivery oftheCBP willbe deliverable withtimeframes fortheirdelivery. responsibility atPrincipal Officerlevel foreach 50 tasksand227deliverables. The CBP alsoassigns Corporate whichidentifies BusinessPlan(CBP) The Strategic Planisunderpinnedby a Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 83 Annual Report 2016 84 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report AppointmentoftheClerkDáilÉireann in n the following: The businessaddressed atmeetingsincluded new membership, tookplaceinJuly2016. Dáil. Itsfirstmeetingfollowing theelections,with It heldtwomeetingspriortothedissolutionof The Commissionmetonsixoccasionsduring2016. AppointmentofAssistantSecretary n Consideration of quarterly financial reports financialreports Consideration ofquarterly n Approval oftheAnnualResource Planfor n Statement ofEstimatesfor2017 n Commission’s AnnualAccountsfor2015 n Approval oftheCommission’s AnnualReport n Allocationofresources undertheSchemefor n Approval ofStatutory Instrumenttogive n Programme ofessentialstructural and upgrade n Goal 2:GoodCorporate Governance Commission Acts2003to2015. accordance withtheHousesofOireachtas to 2015 Houses oftheOireachtas CommissionActs2003 Assistant ofDáilÉireann inaccordance withthe Division)andClerk- (Parliamentary Services by theHousesagainstspending forecast of detailedinformationonthemonthlyspending from theFinanceCommitteeandexamination 2016 fortheHousesofOireachtas Service Oireachtas 2015 forpresentation totheHousesof Dáil/25th Seanadandrelated policydecisions Secretarial Assistanceformembersthe32nd for Secretarial Assistance the allocationofresources undertheScheme legal effecttotheCommissiondecisionon works accommodation planforthe duration ofthe works forGeorgian Leinster House,including the AppointmentofDeputyChairpersonthe n Appointment of members to serve on Appointmentofmemberstoserve n Approval ofstaffinglevels forOireachtas n Re-establishment of anEditorialBoard with n Approval forthesigningofacontract withRTÉ n Legal proceedings involving theHousesof n Approval fortheaward ofcontracts for n Policy fortheHousesonCommunicating n intheHouses CateringServices n Approval forthecreation ofanewposition n new membersoftheCommission Commission following theappointmentof Commission the appointmentofnewmembers committees oftheCommissionfollowing in June2016 ofPublic Expenditure andReform Department Staffing ofMinisterialOfficesissuedby the office-holders inlinewiththeGuidelineson of proceedings onOireachtas TV responsibility foroverseeing thebroadcasting multiplex platform to broadcast Oireachtas TV ontheSaorview the Oireachtas Committee Rooms in theChambersofbothHousesand tomodernisethetechnicalsystems undertaken the Technology intheChambersproject, with MembersoftheDeafCommunity to 2015 Houses oftheOireachtas CommissionActs2003 and Reform asrequired by section12(3)(c)ofthe consent oftheMinisterforPublic Expenditure subjecttothe Houses oftheOireachtas Service, Head oftheParliamentary BudgetOfficeinthe Approval oftheStrategic Plan2016-2018 forthe n appointment of newmembers. Commission tocoincidewith the of itsbusiness,whichwere updatedby the includes therulesofprocedure fortheconduct interest intheperformanceoftheirfunctions.Italso members inidentifyingandmanagingconflictsof and professional standards thatguideCommission Commission Memberswhichsetsouttheethical The handbookincludestheCodeofConductfor Commission Acts. conferred onitby theHousesofOireachtas Commission andthestatutoryfunctionspowers on thegovernance role andresponsibilities ofthe 25th Seanad. The handbookprovides information ontheCommissionin32ndDáiland serve information needsofmembersappointedto Commission memberswasupdatedtomeetthe its governance role, thegovernance handbookfor To thenewCommissioninundertaking support fornewMembersoftheCommission Support ApplicationofStatutory InstrumentNo. 84/2010 n website www.oireachtas.ie. and theminutesofitsmeetingsare available onthe informationontheworkofCommission Further Goal 2:GoodCorporate Governance Service andrelated CorporateService Business Plan Regulations 2010 – Oireachtas (Allowances andFacilities) Management Committeeagendaincluding: There are anumberofstanding itemsonthe of theService. Strategic PlanandtheCorporate BusinessPlan the Commission,aswell asby theCommission’s driven toalarge extentby thepoliciesadoptedby The agendaoftheManagementCommitteeis Committees oftheManagementCommittee. Principal OfficeChairsofthethree sub- nominated by theSecretary General, andthe the ClerkofSeanadÉireann, anexternalmember Secretary withresponsibility forHouseServices, Corporate andMembers’ theAssistant Services, the AssistantSecretary withresponsibility for are theSecretary General andClerkofDáilÉireann, The membersoftheManagementCommittee effective managementoftheService. way, theCommitteecontributestoefficientand on theCommission’s strategic objectives. Inthis operates inanintegratedService way indelivering the ManagementCommitteeaimstoensure thatthe Through thepractice ofcollective decision-making, Management CommitteeoftheService Audit Committee Finance Committee Commission Meetings in2016 4 3 6 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 85 Annual Report 2016 86 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report n n n by three sub-Committeesasfollows: The ManagementCommitteeisassisted Management Committeesub-Committees n n n n n n n n n n n n n n the following: 2016. The mainpolicymattersconsidered included The ManagementCommitteemeton11occasionsin n n n n n Goal 2:GoodCorporate Governance Business and Strategy Systems People and Finance Leadership Standard fortheService Draft DataProtection Policy fortheService Technologies intheChamber Project Annual Resource PlanfortheService Oireachtas CentenaryProgramme 2017-2019 Reports On-going BusinessContinuityPlanningExercise Revised Flexi-timearrangements Employee EngagementSurvey The CivilService FOI Publication Scheme of Responsibilities includingAssignment for theService, Corporate Governance Framework Service’s Integrated Reform Delivery Plan Progress onimplementationofthe reports for DáilandSeanadGeneral Elections Development andimplementationofPlan Internal Auditreports Annual Estimatesfor2017 work programme update onthemanagementcommittee risk management human resources managementreports financial andnon-financialperformancereports topical managementissuesupdate n Key issuesconsidered include: The sub-Committeemetonfour occasionsin2016. expenditure. including monitoringprogress onICT projects and the informationandICT strategies fortheService, andof of thedevelopment ofinformationservices The Systems sub-Committee hasgeneral oversight Systems sub-Committee n n n to consider: Itmetonfouroccasionsin2016 for theService. such mattersashumanandfinancialresources The People andFinancesub-Committeeconsiders People andFinancesub-Committee Committee andtoitssub-Committees. provides totheManagement secretariat support The OfficeoftheCommissionandSecretary General the nominationoftheirPrincipal Officer. Committees canalsoincludeAssistantPrincipals on on arotating basis. The membershipofthesub- Committee forthisperiod. The positionsare filled memberoftheManagement full participatory with theChairofeachsub-Committeebecominga Committees are generally fora12monthperiod, onthesub- Committee. Appointmentstoserve toChairthechosensub- would undertake to becomeamemberofandalsoindicateifthey is invitedtoselectwhichsub-Committeetheywish Each year, eachPrincipal OfficeroftheService Delivery Methodology andGovernance Outline ofICT Organisation Structure, Protected Disclosures Policy andGuidelines Estimates 2017 2016 AnnualResource Plan and considered: Itmet onfouroccasionsin2016 the Service. operations andorganisation development for considers suchmattersofstrategy, business The sub-CommitteeonBusiness andStrategy Business andStrategy sub-Committee n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n Goal 2:GoodCorporate Governance for Procedural 2017-2020 Services Business CaseforDigital Transformation Plan Oireachtas 2020 Business CaseforICT EnterpriseDigital Vision Solution development ofanEnterpriseProcedural Business Caseforpreparation forthe ofaPID resilient datalinktoanoff-sitecentre Business CaseforImplementationofasecond General ICT Vulnerabilities sequencing andProject Updates –BusinessProcess MappingProject,PID Updates –EnterpriseArchitecturePID andProject and Project Updates –DataRepository,PID ETL andDataDiscovery Project Updates – PID Website Redevelopment and –Chamber PID Technology andProject Updates Updates, IssuesandUpdates – DesktopInfrastructurePID Virtual Project Project (MAS) Update onMembers’ Administration System in theChambersProject Update on Technology RFTs forthe Technology sub-Committee Work Programme Project Board MembershipandSystems and Programme/Project Boards ICT Projects Governance Structures n n The InternalAuditUnit’s functionsinclude: and thatinternalcontrols are operating effectively. governance structures are operating asintended to theSecretary General thatkey systemsand through theprovision ofindependentassurance and accountabilityframework fortheService contributestothegovernanceOireachtas Service The InternalAuditfunctionoftheHouses Internal AuditandOversight Functions 2016. Counting ofvotes attheSeanadgeneral electioninApril n n n n n for themanagementofriskand theongoing reviewing thepoliciesandprocedures inplace regulations andguidelines with relevant legislation,policies,circulars, ontheService’sreporting compliance Strategy. Houses oftheOireachtas Communications implementationofthe Actions tosupport Draft Strategic Plan2016-2018 Establishment ofaParliamentary Archive Draft DataProtection Policy andProcedures 21st January2019 – CentenaryofFirstSittingDáilÉireann – Strategic Approach toDecadeofCentenaries Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 87 Annual Report 2016 88 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report provides assurance thattheprocesses forthe procedures relating toriskmanagementand efficiency andeffectiveness oftheService’s Management Committeeon the appropriateness, Risk ManagementCommittee.Itadvisesthe The InternalAuditUnitisrepresented onthe Risk Management section 14A(10)(c)oftheCommissionActs. Oireachtas Commissioninaccordance with on itsactivitieseachyear totheHousesof The AuditCommitteepresents an annual report twice yearly basis. of internalauditreports’ recommendations ona The AuditCommitteemonitorstheimplementation n n n n n n n and considered: The AuditCommitteemetonfouroccasionsin2016 Committee atitsmeetingof7December2016. A workprogramme for2017wasagreed by theAudit n n Goal 2:GoodCorporate Governance Account 2015 operations oftheService implementation ofinternalcontrols inthe two riskmaterialisationreports and Policy fortheService, ontheupdatedFixed Assets one report from theRiskCommittee one report the C&AG’s ontheCistePinsean report of theHousesOireachtas Commission the C&AG’s onthe2015annualaccounts report one informationnote/briefing four internalauditreports theAuditCommitteeinitswork supporting recommendations ontheimplementationofinternalaudit reporting the Oireachtas Strategic Planistoincrease public objective undertheHousesof An important Website Redevelopment Project 2016, including: A numberoftheseprojects were advanced in efficiently. tooperate more members, andenablingtheService with theevolving businessneedsofthe Housesand of parliamentaryinformation,betteraligningICT ensuring anintegrated approach tothemanagement of theoverall strategic objectives oftheService, advancements indigitaltechnologies insupport ICT strategic projects focusedonharnessing hasinvested inaprogrammeThe Service of Technology Strategic Planning Information andCommunications ofthisstrategic goal: support provided ofservices andachievements Overview in Assemblies inIreland andtheUK. Heads ofInternalAuditParliaments and Internal Auditnetwork)andagroup consistingof in theHeadsofInternalAuditForum (acivilservice best practice, theInternalAuditUnitparticipates To helpensure thatitoperates inaccordance with an updatedRiskManagementPolicy fortheService. during theyear onadraft strategic riskregister and Audit Committee. The AuditCommitteewasbriefed are presentedRisk materialisationreports tothe management ofriskare operating effectively. solutions tosupportourwork Development ofinnovative ICT Goal 3:

This definedarchitecture willensure consistent Architecture isduetobecompletedinmid2017. The project todeliver afullICT Enterprise work oftheHousesandtheir Committees. the thatsupport business systemsandservices applications andsystems,totheintegration ofthe the disjointedIT infrastructure andindependent focusofICT istomoveAn important awayfrom ICT EnterpriseArchitecture releases in2017. further project andwilldeliver additionalfunctionalityin willbuildonthewebsite redevelopmentService evolving andreliable informationresource. The confidence thatthewebsite isaliving,breathing, following itslaunchtoensure thatuserswillhave The newwebsite willcontinue toevolve anddevelop while itcontinuestobetestedandimproved. and willoperate inparallel withtheexistingwebsite of2017 website willbelaunchedin the firstquarter Houses andmembers. The beta version ofthe increasing publicunderstandingofthework resourceto ensure for itbecomesanimportant is beingredesigned withthisuser-centred approach their viewsandunderstandneeds. The website quantitative research witharange ofuserstoobtain redesign follows extensive qualitative and range ofotherfunctionalenhancements. The interface, easieronlineaccesstoinformationanda redevelopment project willprovide animproved user website iscurrently underway. The website To thisendaproject toredevelop theOireachtas their Parliament. strengthen engagementbetween thepeopleand Houses inmore accessibleformsandinsodoing understanding andtocommunicatetheworkof Goal 3:Development ofinnovative ourwork ICT solutionstosupport Project. willalsopresent programmesThe Service in to deliver improvements identifiedthrough the BPMI Plan fortheproceduralareas inmid2017, services willpresent aDigital The Service Transformation efficiencies. andimprovingreducing theduplicationofeffort to provide over services multiplebusiness units, identified areas where systemscanbedeveloped use ofresources. The optimisedprocesses have amore efficient andsupport delivery ofservices optimised processes willdrive amore efficient business processes across theService. The mapped, defined,analysedandimproved core Improvement Project , BusinessAnalysts (BPMI) Under theBusinessProcess Mappingand and Improvement Project Business Process Mapping available inopenformatby theService. developed toenhancetheinformationmade willbeprovided service forpublicreuse andfurther the provision ofinformationtothewebsite. This improvement for by developing anopendataservice Project during2016have provided asignificant Extract, Transform, Load andtheDiscovery (ETL) Deliverables undertheDataRepository, be shared by systemsand businessunits. centralised datarepository thatenablesdatato to integrate theService’s datasilosby meansofa The primarygoaloftheDataRepository Project is Transform, Load Process (ETL) Data Repository andExtract, thecore businessobjectivessupport oftheService. development to offuture systemsandservices and willprovide asolidfoundationtoadvance the standards ofdata,infrastructure andapplications Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 89 Annual Report 2016 90 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report the CommitteeRooms hascommenced. for thereplacement andupdatingoftechnologyin modern chambergraphical displayunits.Planning integrated microphone andvoting technologyand Dáil chamberequipment(delegateunits)containing included thereplacement ofcriticalaspectsthe approved anddelivered in2016.Theprogramme theDáilchamberwas technology supporting A majorprogramme ofimprovements inthe Technology intheChambersProject n n n the following areas: reforms underwayintheService. and theongoingimplementation oforganisational presented by thesub-CommitteeonDáilReform of theprogramme ofparliamentary reform as implementation tosupport the demandforservices the increase inthestaffinglevel wastosupport business oftheHouses. The mainreason for numbers, were thecore available tosupport that appropriate staffinglevels, withinsanctioned Unitwastoensure In 2016,thefocusofHR HR Reform andStrategy Goal 4:Economic,efficientandeffective useofresources effective useofresources Economic, efficientand Goal 4: corporate services programme ofdevelopment for informing parliamentandthedebate programme ofdevelopment for informing citizens, membersandstaff programme ofdevelopment for acquired goods or services where beneficialtothe acquired goodsorservices central framework agreements forcommonly availsmanagers from theService. The Service of between categorymanagersandcontract OGP procurement requirements andfacilitatedmeetings inrelationManager intheOGP tovarious 2016, itmetwiththeService’s assignedKey Account policies andprocedures During inthe publicservice. which hastakenover responsibility forprocurement of theOfficeGovernment Procurement (OGP) The Procurement Unithasaccesstotheexpertise Adviser asandwhenrequired. assisted by theOfficeofParliamentary Legal circulars anddirections. The Procurement Unit is line withOfficeofGovernment Procurement (OGP) legislationandin compliance withnationalandEU tendering by Contract Managersiscarriedoutin Itensures that the purchase ofgoodsandservices. inrelation to practice adviceforstaffoftheService regard. The Procurement Unitprovides current best of theProcurement Unitisakeyelementinthis public procurement policy. The advisoryfunction isfullycommittedtocompliancewith The Service Public Procurement Management agenda and Civil Service Renewal Plan. agenda andCivilService reform commitments underthePublic Service Development Initiative are consistentwith organisation. The objectives ofthe Organisational todevelop asahighperformingthe Service capacity; toimplementchangeandenable work more efficientlyandincrease organisational Organisational Development Programme) to Initiative (formerlyknown asthePeople and implementation oftheOrganisational Development and enhancingitscapacitycapabilitythrough focused onmakingbestuseofavailable resources has The HousesoftheOireachtas Service following procurement processes in2016: The Procurement Unitassistedinthe reference oftheCommittee. procurement processes whichfellunderthetermsof Committee in2016. The Committee approved nine in seven meetingsoftheOireachtas Contracts The Procurement Unitfacilitatedandparticipated n n n circumstances: adhered toonallcontracts inthefollowing Public Procurementand underEU Directives, are procurement rulesandprocedures, bothnationally The Oireachtas Contracts Committeeensures that equipment, facilities,andtravel provider. service and officesupplies,ICT consumables and forinstanceintheacquiringofstationery Service, n The training comprisedthefollowing fourmodules: involvedService inpublicprocurement. procurement consultant,training forstaffofthe It alsoorganised, inconjunctionwithanexternal Prior Indicative Notices(PINS) Market Soundings (SRFTs) Supplementary Request for Tender Request forQuotes National Tenders ThresholdEU Tenders Category Goal 4:Economic,efficientandeffective useofresources to beaccepted the lowest pricedtenderisnotproposed to anRFT only onetenderwasreceived inresponse a competitive process (e.g.solesupplier) it isproposed forexceptional reasons nottohave EU ProcurementEU Directives an overview ofthekeyfeatures ofthe new Number 15 10 11 4 2 2 Statement ofInternalFinancial Control. intheAnnualAppropriation Account inthe reported 40/02: Public Procurement Guidelines. This isalso totheC&AG inaccordanceis reported withCircular Non-compliance with procurement regulations, if any, business process mappinginitiative. internal andexternal,ontheEnterpriseArchitecture The Procurement both UnitengagedwithIT experts, responsibility regardless ofvalue. register ofthecontracts undertheirarea of over € maintains acentral Contracts Register forcontracts compliance withauditrequirements. The Unit held by Contract Managersiscompleteandinfull procurement processes toensure thateachfile Unit designedanumberofchecklistsforvarious assistContract Managers,theProcurementfurther for staffinrelation topublicprocurement. To best practice advice,informationandtemplates Page ontheOireachtas toprovide intranet Portal The Procurement Unitalsocreated aProcurement and thiswasdelivered inJanuary2017. members oftheOireachtas Contracts Committee A bespoketraining coursewasalsodesignedforthe of contract managersandstaffthroughout 2017. thetraining needs The Unitwillcontinuetosupport n n n OJEU) value over € one-Tendersbe advertised andcontracts witha threshold (allcontracts over € overtendering forgoodsandservices € required tobesought) threshold (where between 3and5quotesare upto€ tendering forgoodsandservices of contract managers contract management–roles andresponsibilities 25k and each section maintains a local 25k andeachsectionmaintainsalocal 135k must also be advertised on EU onEU 135k mustalsobeadvertised 25k are required to 25k 25k 25k 25k Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 91 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 2016

Appendix I

92 Houses of the Oireachtas Service Organisation Chart

Clerk of Dáil Éireann & Secretary General PETER FINNEGAN

Office of the Clerk Office of the Private Secretary Commission & Secretary General B MCGLYNN M DEVLIN

Clerk of Assistant Secretary, Seanad Éireann Assistant Secretary, Parliamentary Services Corporate & Members’ M GROVES Division & Clerk-Assistant Services Division of Dáil Éireann M ERRITY E GUNN Clerk-Assistant of Seanad Éireann B DOODY Annual Report 2016 Members’ Services Finance Sectoral Committees House Services International Services Procurement Administration & P DORAN Catering Risk Development Office of the C SMITH M DEVLIN Seanad C HEARNE

Communications, Broadcasting & Web EU & External Relations D DIGNAM ICT Office of Parliamentary Committees Operations Legal Adviser N/S IPA & BIPA B HICKEY Internal Audit M GRANT M ENGLISH Research, Library and Archive, Records Management Budgetary Scrutiny, ICT M DENNISON Systems HR Services Statutory Committees Pensions, Salaries F DE BRÍ T MALONE Training M CRAWLEY Rannóg an Aistriúcháin

Parliamentary Inquiries V UÍBH EACHACH and Investigations Superintendent’s Area VACANCY incl Security, Protocol, Events, H&S, Debates Office Accommodation P CONWAY A MAXWELL Table ofnumbersbygrade (excluding StateIndustrialEmployees) 1.Summary Appendix II Senior Clerk Administrative Officer Advisory CounselGrade III AP Principal Officer(standard) Director (PO(higher)) Assistant Secretary Secretary General Junior Clerk Grades Clerical Officer Telephonist Staff Officer Cleaner Officer,Services Porter, Attendant, Service Superintendent’s Section:UsherGrade III, Usher Grade Team Leader Head Usher/DeputyUsher Reporters Outreach Officer Translator Grad III Translator Grad II Translator Grade I Deputy Editor Assistant Editor Researchers Senior Researchers Assistant Librarian Statement ofResources staffonly)2016 (CivilService Commission in approved by Number as 2008 45.5 17.5 4.5 5.5 40 52 84 39 81 14 15 0 3 9 3 4 4 2 3 7 – – 1 1 in 2016,including Number approved fixed term contracts 64 54 57 76 38 13 17 81 21 11 0 3 3 7 4 0 9 2 3 7 6 6 1 1 place December Total numberin 2016 56 50 52 74 74 33 12 16 17 7 0 2 3 7 4 0 9 2 3 7 9 6 4 1 1 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 93 Annual Report 2016 94 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report At31December2016.Figures by grade have beenrounded. * Cumulative totals Vacancies Total StaffinPlace* CivilService Third Secretary Specialist, Temporary andOther Records Managerpost Grades Commission in approved by Number as 2008 438 0 0 0 in 2016,including Number approved fixed term contracts 485 0 0 1 place December Total numberin 2016 449 485 36 3 Year Budget2016-2018fixed by2015Act=€369m Appendix III Committee Travel and Expenses Members andFormer MembersAllowances Pay andPensions Members (incl.MEPs) Other CommitteeExpenses Members’ Staff Pay andPensions International Parliamentary Activities Administration and Services Current 3 Year Projection 2018 Forecast 2017 Estimate 2016 Outturn Breaks down asfollows: Category Financial Information 06Otun21 siaeVariance 2016Estimate 2016 Outturn 1,8 3,9 1%Underspend -12% 130,991 115,887 6323,4 5 Underspend -5% 38,447 36,362 6472,1 2% Underspend 27,016 -18% 53,358 26,467 43,920 ,8 129-5 Underspend -25% 11,249 8,784 €000 250 24 81 €000 2 6%Underspend -60% 626 3 8%Underspend -82% 130 6 5%Underspend -52% 168 Overspend €369 €126 €127 €116 €m Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 95 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 2016

Appendix IV

96 Houses of the Oireachtas Commission Appropriation Account 2016

2016 Estimate 2016 Outturn 2015 Outturn

Current Capital Total Current Capital Total Current Capital Total

Programme €000 €000 €000 €000 €000 €000 €000 €000 €000 Expenditure

A. Delivering Services to Parliament And Oireachtas Members 130,991 – 130,991 115,887 – 115,887 107,419 – 107,419

Gross Total 130,991 – 130,991 115,887 – 115,887 107,419 107,419

Deduct:

B. Receipts of the Commission –– – (2,330) – (2,330) (2,791) – (2,791)

Net Total 130,991 – 130,991 113,557 – 113,557 104,628 – 104,628 Annual Report 2016

2016 Estimate 2016 Outturn 2015 Outturn

Current Capital Total Current Capital Total Current Capital Total

A - Analysis of €000 €000 €000 €000 €000 €000 €000 €000 €000 Expenditure

I. Administration 49,015 – 49,015 39,823 – 39,823 42,158 – 42,158

2. Other Services 24,767 – 24,767 23,034 – 23,034 15,792 – 15,792

3. Dáil Éireann 46,203 – 46,203 43,710 – 43,710 40,129 – 40,129

4. Seanad Éireann 9,912 – 9,912 8,431 – 8,431 8,421 – 8,421

5. Oireachtas 298 – 298 105 – 105 146 – 146 Committees

6. European 796 – 796 783 – 783 773 – 773 Parliament

Programme Total: 130,991 – 130,991 115,887 – 115,887 107,419 – 107,419 rgam oa: 905–4,1 983–3,2 218–42,158 – 42,158 39,823 – 39,823 49,015 – 49,015 Programme Total: communications. relations and 1(j) Public research services. 1(i) Library and printing. 1(h) Parliamentary policy review. for moneyand andvalueservices 1(g) Consultancy expenses. Officepremises 1(f) external IT services. equipment and 1(e) Office services. telecommunications 1(d) Postal and incidental expenses. development and 1(c) Training and subsistence. 1(b) Travel and Oireachtas Service. the Housesof respect ofstaff and allowances in 1(a) Salaries,wages Expenditure Administrative Analysis of urn aia oa urn aia oa urn aia Total Capital Current Total Capital Current Total Capital Current 790–2,6 527–2,1 635–26,305 – 26,305 25,217 – 25,217 27,960 – 27,960 ,2 ,2 9 9 1 415 – 415 399 – 399 2,520 – 2,520 ,4 ,4 ,7 ,7 ,4 2,842 – 2,842 2,671 – 2,671 2,949 – 2,949 ,2 ,2 ,2 ,2 ,1 8,419 – 8,419 8,528 – 8,528 9,228 – 9,228 ,4 ,4 5 5 ,1 1,819 – 1,819 853 – 853 2,842 – 2,842 €000 ,4 ,4 6 6 9 695 – 695 660 – 660 1,343 – 1,343 7 7 4 4 5 550 – 550 444 – 444 770 – 770 5 5 8 8 4 747 – 747 781 – 781 850 – 850 5 5 8 8 5 250 – 250 180 – 180 355 – 355 9 9 0–9 1 115 – 115 90 – 90 199 – 199 2016 Estimate €000 €000 €000 2016 Outturn €000 €000 €000 2015 Outturn €000 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report €000 97 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 2016

98

Accounts of the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission for the Period from 1 January To 31 December 2016 (kept in accordance with the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission Acts 2003 to 2015) Annual Report 2016 Notes totheAppropriation Account Appropriation Account Comptroller andAuditorGeneral Certificate Statement ofAccountingPolicies andPrinciples Statement onInternalFinancialControl Introduction Contents

Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 109 108 104 100 100 111 99 Annual Report 2016 100 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report Catering and Bar Services are presentedCatering andBarServices inNote7. Parliamentary Assemblyand theaccountsof parliamentary activities,the grant totheBritish-Irish The accountsofthegrant inrespect ofinter- There wasasurplusfortheyear of€ precedence over circulars. administrative DPER Commission Actsasthisprimarylegislationtakes Iamlegallyobliged toadhere tothe (DPER), ofPublic ExpenditureandReform the Department governing therulesandformatofaccounts from of theCommissionAccountsandcirculars event thatthere are differences between theformat specifically laidoutinSchedule1oftheActs.In cycle undertheActs. The formatoftheaccountis The Commissionisfundedonathree year statutory for theyear ended31December 2016. the Commissioninrespect ofongoingexpenditure (“the Acts”),oftheamountmoneysrequired by of theOireachtas CommissionActs2003to2015 by theCommissioninaccordance withtheHouses statement ofestimates,prepared andpublished The expenditure outturniscompared withthe with theEuropean Parliament. expensesinconnection grants, andforcertain expenses oftheCommission,includingcertain year ended31December2016forthesalariesand the attachedaccountofamountexpendedin In accordance withthisrequirement, Ihave prepared to theComptroller andAuditorGeneral foraudit. Appropriation Accountandtosubmittheaccount I amrequired eachyear toprepare the Oireachtas Commission(“theCommission”), As AccountingOfficerfortheHousesof Introduction 17,434,507. Control Statement onInternalFinancial audit isasfollows: procedures, and internal managementreporting environment, theframework ofadministrative The positioninregard tothefinancialcontrol ongoing review. and thesystemitseffectiveness are keptunder of internalfinancialcontrols isacontinuous process detected inatimelymanner. Maintainingthesystem irregularities are eitherprevented orwouldbe properly recorded, andthatmaterialerrors or are safeguarded, transactions are authorisedand reasonable andnotabsoluteassurance thatassets system ofinternalfinancialcontrol canprovide only context oftheresources available tome.Also,any (“the Service”). This responsibility isexercised inthe operated by theHousesofOireachtas Service of internalfinancialcontrol ismaintainedand responsibility forensuringthataneffective system As AccountingOfficer, Iacknowledge my Financial Control Responsibility forsystemofInternal 29/2016. Circular line withguidanceprovided intheDPER oftheaccount,andare in and notes1to7formpart The Statement ofAccountingPolicies andPrinciples Auditor General. account isseparately auditedby theComptroller and ensuring theregularity ofthetransactions. The who are responsible forpreparing anaccountandfor 2(i). The pensionfundisgoverned by three trustees Pinsean Thithe anOireachtais ischarged tosubhead Grant fundingof€ 14.564m inrespect ofCiste n n n n n that – of delegationandaccountabilityand,inparticular, place includingsegregation ofdutiesandasystem procedures isin andregular managementreporting I confirmthataframework ofadministrative Management Reporting Administrative Controls and n n n n following elementsisinplace: I confirmthatacontrol environment containingthe Financial Control Environment disciplines; guidelines andformalproject management there are appropriate capitalinvestment control of theICT systems; there are systemsaimed atensuringthesecurity Service; a riskmanagementsystemoperates withinthe indicate financialperformanceagainstforecasts; which of periodicandannualfinancialreports there are regular reviews by seniormanagement senior management; annual budgetwhichiskeptunderreview by there isanappropriate budgetingsystemwithan financial control system. discharging myresponsibilities fortheinternal there isanAuditCommitteetoadvisemein appropriate corrective action; significant controlreporting failures and ensuring formal procedures have beenestablished for management hasbeenassigned; all levels where responsibility forfinancial arrangements havereporting been establishedat accountability; management level withcorresponding financial responsibilities have beenassignedat n whether competitive processes are required. competitive processes are assessedtodetermine Procedures are inplacetoensure purchases without the Cateringand Barareas tothesamelevels of catering andbarareas. isacting to bring The Service management andprocurement management inthe place toenhancethecontrol environment, financial hasputarrangementsIn recent in years theService Services Oireachtas CateringandBar c) b) a) These are broken down asfollows: 40/02 return. were by meinmy2016annualCircular reported withoutacompetitive process undertaken and with atotalvalue of€ each relating topaymentsinexcess of€ compliant withtheexception of19contracts, with allrelevant guidelines. is The Service procedures are inplacetoensure compliance focus ongoodpractice inpurchasing andthat ensures thattherethe Service isanappropriate d) with avalue of€ 2 existingsupplycontracts were extended all ofwhichhave contracts inplace. of thesecontracts amountedto€ only asolesupplieravailable and thevalue 13 contracts were awarded where there was engaged withatotalvalue of€ were3 urgent legalcounselservices value of€ procured thegoodsseparately withatotal providing thegoodsandService supplier whosubsequentlypulledoutof Frameworkutilising anOGP contract 1 situationarosewas where theService 34,111. 131,028. 1,736,617, whichwere 152,165. 1,419,313; 1,419,313; 25,000 25,000 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 101 Annual Report 2016 102 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report Unit and the OGP todevelopUnit andtheOGP andutiliseframeworks is now workingwiththeOireachtas Procurement main procurement function,andMembers’ Services completelyseparately from theService’sundertaken Procurement inthecateringand barareas is take updutyon3rd April2017. been recruited through anopen competitionandwill now beenfilledandanewRestaurant Managerhas Manager positionduringtheyear. This vacancy has upon duetoavacancy arisingintheRestaurant pace ofimplementationthereforms wasimpacted While progress hasbeenmadeduring2016,the (4) (3) (2) (1) date include: in theCateringandBarareas, anddevelopments to aprogramme ofreforms hasundertaken The Service Appropriation AccountatNote7.3. are attachedtotheCommission’sServices AccountsoftheCateringandBar Expenditure For thefirsttime,asummaryofIncomeand notablyinthearea ofprocurement.in theService andoversightfinancial reporting asapplyelsewhere Committee, FinanceCommitteeandCommission. totheManagement Catering andBarServices basistheaccountsof onaquarterly reporting management), management (stock,cashandreporting sale system)tofacilitatebetterfinancial installation ofanePos system(electronic pointof procurement andcredit control, focuson thisfunctionwithparticular support assignment ofadditionalOireachtas officialsto from theService, support managerial functionswithmore direct input/ Manager whosejobspecificationincludes external selectionprocess ofaRestaurant recruitment through anopencompetitive Grant Accounts (MC) hasapproved. Itsworkisinformedby analysis whichtheManagement Committee written charter function, whichoperates inaccordance witha hasaninternalaudit I confirmthattheService Internal Audit records are retained ofallexpenditure. payments (includingcredit card payments). Vouched detailed explanatoryrecord ismadeinregard toall balanced atyear endfortheAnnualAccount.A bank reconciliation maintainedmonthly and There isastringentsystemofrecord keepingand Secretary, asappropriate. Officer) andthenby thePrincipal OfficerorAssistant Parliamentary and Travel Unit(AssistantPrincipal sanctioned initiallyby theHead oftheInter- All IrishParliamentary Associationexpenditure is Officer. (Assistant Principal Officer)andthenby thePrincipal sanctioned initiallyby theBIPA CommitteeClerk the Commission’s Estimate.AllBIPA expenditure is down fundsfrom theallocatedbudgetcontainedin The British-IrishParliamentary Assemblydraws recruited Restaurant Manager. procurement asaprioritydeliverable forthenewly hasidentified In2017,theService undertaken. without acompetitive process having been suppliers by theOireachtas BarandRestaurant with atotalvalue of€ return detailsof16paymentsinexcess of€ an addendumtomy2016annualCircular 40/02 and barareas andinthemeantimeIhave listedas is required inrelation toprocurement inthecatering work Further for thepurchase offoodandservices. 799,402 whichwere madeto 25,000 25,000 20th June2017 Houses oftheOireachtas Commission Accounting Officer Peter Finnegan to bothme,theMCandAuditCommittee. progress onregularly onimplementationisreported internal auditrecommendations are followed upand I have putprocedures inplacetoensure thatall controls. as onriskmanagement,internalauditand on theformofaccountsCommissionaswell regular review. Itsresponsibilities includeadvising MC andtheAuditCommitteeissubjectto also governed by awrittencharter, approved by the the termsofreference setoutintheActs.Itsworkis The AuditCommitteeoperates inaccordance with Audit Committee by meandtheAuditCommittee. The internalauditfunctionisreviewed periodically controls onarolling basisover areasonable period. on thisanalysis. These plansaimtocover thekey approved by meandtheAuditCommittee,are based is exposedanditsannualinternalauditplans, of thefinancialandotherriskstowhichService Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 103 Annual Report 2016 104 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report n follows: consolidated intotheCommission’s accountsas number ofentitieswhoseresults are not The Commissionprovides toa fundingand support accordance withtheActs. Minister forPublic andReform Expenditure in presented toDáilÉireann and(c)furnishedtothe is (a)prepared andpublishedby theCommission(b) of moneysstatedinthestatementestimatesthat and paymentsintheyear compared withtheamount The accountsare acash-basedrecord ofthereceipts form ofanappropriation account. directed thattheaccountsbekeptin andReform.Expenditure The Ministerhas be approved ofby theMinisterforPublic Commission keeptheaccountsinsuchformasmay andReform.Expenditure The Actsrequire thatthe and procedures laiddown by theMinisterforPublic accordance withtheActsandaccountingrules The accountsoftheCommissionare prepared in Basis ofAccounts 2016. periodistheyear ended31December The reporting Reporting Period Policies andPrinciples Statement ofAccounting basis. (Note 7.1). The accountsare prepared onacash expenditure incurred isshown by way of note the assemblyanddetailsofincome Commission provides agrant viasubhead 2(e)to British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly– The n n Allowances. from Vote 12–Superannuation andRetired and cateringbarstaffare met onacurrent basis Superannuation paymentsforretired civilservants Commission. Parliament are metonacurrent basisby the andformermembersoftheEuropeanParties assistants employed by membersoftheHousesand the HousesofOireachtas, formersecretarial Superannuation paymentsforformermembersof Superannuation of theperformanceitsfunctions(Note4). the Actsare usedby theCommissionforpurposes Receipts oftheCommissionspecifiedinSchedule2 Receipts accruals basis. (Note 7.3). The accountsare prepared onan included by wayofanoteto theseaccounts 4). Detailsoftheoperation ofthefacilitiesare (Note operation ofthecateringandbarservices 2(a) andreceives acontributionfrom the and whosepaycostsare charged tosubhead employs staffwhoworkinthebarandrestaurant – Catering andBarServices The Commission prepared onacashbasis. way ofnote(Note7.2). The accountsare the incomeandexpenditure incurred isshown by provides agrant viasubhead2(d)anddetailsof Parliamentary Association)– The Commission Cumann Parlaiminteach nahÉireann (TheIrish n in relation tothefollowing: The balancesheetincludesthepositionatyear-end n n nature inthenotestoAccount,including: The accountincorporates informationofanaccruals Accruals inanotetotheAccount. liabilities isreported outstanding atyear end,the amountofsuch not beeneffectedandmatured liabilitiesare integrity oftheAccount.Incaseswhere paymenthas be completedbefore theyear endtoensure the due (i.e.theliabilityhasmatured), paymentshould Where aliabilityhasbeenincurred andpaymentis Matured Liabilities the instructionforpaymenthasbeenexecuted. the liabilityhasbeenincurred, paymentisdueand deemed tohave comeincourseofpaymentwhere course ofpaymentduringtheyear. Sumsare Payments consistofthosesumswhichhave comein Payments has metthecontractual requirement toprovide accrued liabilityisrecognised whenthepayee an pensions. Inthecaseofgoods andservices, liabilities inregard toremuneration and at thebalancesheetdatewith theexception of Accrued expenses–theserepresent allliabilities commitments. and the netliabilitytoExchequer capital assets,assetsunderdevelopment, explanatory notesproviding detailsregarding assets andliabilitiesatyear end(Note2),and a balancesheetshowing theCommission’s Commission intheyear. the totalamountofresources consumedby the an operating coststatement(Note1),showing n n capital assets: The following are notincludedinthestatementof balance sheet(Note2). depreciation are shown by wayofnotetothe the Commission’s register anddetailsof The openingandclosingvalues ofcapitalassetson accounts. Works andistherefore notincludedinthese Leinster Houseisvested intheOfficeofPublic Capital Assets n n n adequately expressed infinancialterms. heritage assets,thevalue ofwhichcannotbe 2004. lessthat€ worth January 1995to31December 2003,orassets lessthan€ assets worth provide. whichithasyet to account forgoods/services received by theCommissionduringyear of Deferred Income–thisrepresents income which hasyet tobereceived. Commission attheendofyear ofaccount Accrued income–thisduetothe inasubsequentfinancialyear.whole orinpart of accounttomeetexpenseswhichwillarisein Prepayments –paymentsmadeduringtheyear completed. liabilities are recognised whentravel hasbeen receive payment. Travel andsubsistence requirements ofthegrant schemebuthasyet to recognised whenthegrantee hasmetallthe as aliability. Inthecaseofgrants, aliabilityis un-inspected andnottakentostock,are treated goods delivered, butnotyet paidfor, even if ordered. Amountsduefor the goodsorservices 1,000 acquired since1January 318 acquired from 1 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 105 Annual Report 2016 106 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report excluding commitments under€ materialise insubsequentyears underprocurement A noteprovides figures forcommitmentslikely to supplied atyear-end. whichhavedelivery yet tobe forgoodsorservices A commitmentisacontractual obligation topayon Commitments liabilities are also shown (Note2.7). balances, debtors’ receipts dueandcurrent breakdown ofthatfigure interms ofbank/cash onacumulative/rollingExchequer basis. The date takingintoaccounttheissuesfrom the shows thefundingpositionatbalancesheet The netamountduefrom/to note theExchequer Net Amountduefrom/to theExchequer Commission valuations (Note2.4). Consumables are statedatthelower ofcostor Stocks n n n over theirestimatedusefullives: a straight-line basisatthefollowing annualrates Equipment, furniture andfittingsare depreciated on Depreciation Equipment, furniture andfittingsare valued atcost. Equipment, Furniture andFittings Valuation ofAssets Major operational software systems–10%. – 20%. laboratory equipmentandotherofficemachinery IT equipmentandsoftware, scientificand equipment –10%. Furniture andfittings,telecommunications 10,000 (Note2.8). exchange. translated intoEuro attheyear-end rates of and liabilitiesdenominatedinforeign currencies are at thedatesoftransactions. Monetaryassets translated intoEuro attherates ofexchange ruling Transactions arisinginforeign currencies are Foreign Currency Transactions an outflow ofresources isremote (Note6.5). disclosed by wayofanoteunlessthepossibility liabilities are notrecognised intheaccountbutare fundsinthefuture.call ontheExchequer Contingent past orcurrent actionsorevents create ariskof A contingentliabilityarisesinanysituationwhere Contingent Liabilities should begiven. consider thatanote and AuditorGeneral orDPER issue ofprinciplearisesorwhere theComptroller involved, notesare alsoprovided where aserious Where amountslower thanthethreshold values are involves asumof€ or acategoryoftransactions taken together, notes are provided where anindividualtransaction, remuneration. inthecasesoutlinedbelow, Except special orexgratia payments,and extra unusual nature recorded intheAccounte.g.losses, information aboutmaterialtransactions ofan parliamentary control, ortoprovide fuller Committee ofPublic Accountstomattersbearingon draw theattentionofDáilÉireann andofthe In general, theothernotestoAccountsaim General Principles Other NotestotheAccounts 50,000 ormore. n n (Note 6)where: 2012 (asrevised in2013),information issupplied Payment inCommercial Transactions Regulations, In thecaseofinterest paymentsundertheLate Late Payments amounts are also disclosedwhere material. Severance/redundancy andpayroll overpayment the maximumindividualpayment,ifover € of individualsthatreceived € category, thetotalnumberofrecipients, thenumber (Note 5)includethetotalamountpaidundereach In thecaseofextra remuneration, thedetailsgiven RemunerationExtra n n n is provided where thevariation: In thecaseofvariations from grant (Note3),anote Variations from Grant n n n (Note 6.4)withabreakdown ofthetotalcostsinto: year ofaccountexceed € In caseswhere cumulative legalcostsincurred inthe Legal Costs an individualpaymentwas€ or more; or the totalofinterest paymentsduewas€ criteria butwhichwarrants explanation. estimate provision thatdoesnotmeettheabove represents asignificantvariation from theoriginal the caseofadministrative subheads);or represents 5%ormore ofthesubhead(25%in is € Compensation awarded. Legal costsawarded, and Legal costs, 100,000 ormore; and 50,000 anoteisprovided 10,000 ormore, and 10,000 ormore. 10,000. 10,000 10,000 n fraud, informationissuppliedwhere; In thecaseoflossesduetofraud orsuspected Fraud orSuspectedFraud (Note 6.2). expenditure sinceitsestablishmentisalsogiven established onatemporary basis,thetotal Where aCommissionorInquiryhasbeen Commission orInquiryfinancedby theCommission. include astatementofexpenditure oneach Where appropriate, MiscellaneousItems(Note6) Commissions andInquiries n n bank accounts. note separately from identifies PMG commercial Commission isobligedtoretain allreceipts. The Oireachtas CommissionActs2003-2015, the (as setoutinNote4.1).UndertheHousesof orreceiptsExchequer retained by theCommission accounts) heldatyear-end whichare fundedby the accounts balances(payroll andotherrelated “Bank andCash” includeallcommercial bank Bank andCash bank andcashbalancedisclosure. Amounts relating topettycashare includedinthe Petty Cash were € The totallossesduringtheaccountingperiod disclosure shouldbemade. considersthata Auditor General orDPER principle arisesorwhere theComptroller and for lossesunder€ an individuallosswas€ 100,000 ormore; or 10,000, a serious issue of 10,000, aseriousissueof 10,000 ormore; or Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 107 Annual Report 2016 108 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report n n or error. This includesanassessmentof from materialmisstatement,whether causedby fraud give reasonable assurance thattheaccountisfree amounts anddisclosures intheaccount,sufficientto An auditinvolves obtainingevidenceaboutthe Scope ofaudittheaccount Ethical Standards forAuditors. and incompliancewiththeAuditingPractices Board’s andIreland) International Standards onAuditing(UK My auditiscarriedoutinaccordance withthe relation totheirmanagementandoperation. considerations whichattachtoState bodiesin My auditisconductedby reference tothespecial it inaccordance withapplicablelaw. My on responsibility istoaudittheaccountandreport and AuditorGeneral Responsibilities oftheComptroller ensuring theregularity oftransactions. the account. The AccountingOfficer isresponsible for The Commissionisresponsible forthepreparation of and oftheAccountingOfficer Responsibilities oftheCommission form prescribed underSection14oftheAct. under theaccountingpoliciesstatedtherein andinthe Commission Act2003. The accounthasbeenprepared December 2016undertheHousesofOireachtas of theOireachtas Commissionfortheyear ended31 I have auditedtheappropriation accountoftheHouses Houses oftheOireachtas Commission Report for presentation totheHousesofOireachtas Comptroller andAuditor General consistently appliedandadequately disclosed the Commission’s circumstances, andhave been whether theaccountingpolicies are appropriate to Financial Procedures have been compliedwith whether theaccountingprovisions ofPublic upon which reporting isby exception. upon whichreporting I have inregard nothingtoreport tothosematters n n n n by exception if I report byexceptionMatters onwhichIreport with thebooksofaccount. kept by theCommission. The accountisin agreement In myopinion,proper booksofaccounthave been Commission fortheyear ended 31December2016. receipts and payments of the Houses of the Oireachtas In myopinion,theaccountproperly presents the Opinion ontheaccount financial transactions inthecourseofaudit. I alsoseektoobtainevidenceabouttheregularity of n n 27 June2017 Comptroller andAuditor General Seamus McCarthy conducted. the mannerinwhichpublicbusinesshasbeen I findthere are othermaterialmattersrelating to Financial Procedures, or requirements forsuchstatementssetoutinPublic not reflect theCommission’s compliancewiththe the statementoninternalfinancialcontrol does authorities governing them,or where thetransactions didnotconformtothe has notbeenappliedforthepurposesintendedor my auditnotedanymaterialinstancewhere money explanations Irequired formyaudit,or I have notreceived alltheinformationand the overall presentation oftheaccount. and estimates madeinthepreparation oftheaccount, the reasonableness ofsignificantaccounting

Houses oftheOireachtas CommissionAppropriation Account2016 d Grant inrespect ofinter-parliamentary activities. (d) (b) Expenses ofdelegatestootherparliamentary assemblies. Expenses (b) d Postal andtelecommunicationsservices. (d) h Grant toIrishParliamentary (formerMembers)Society. (h) b Travel andsubsistence. (b) h Parliamentary printing. (h) g Termination allowances inrespect offormermembersthe (g) (g) Consultancy services andvalue Consultancyservices formoneyandpolicyreview. (g) e Grant toBritish-IrishParliamentary Assembly. (e) a Payment inrespect ofcateringandbarstaff. (a) e OfficeequipmentandexternalIT services. (e) a Salaries,wagesandallowances inrespect ofstafftheHouses (a) c Televising ofproceedings ofDáilÉireann andSeanadÉireann (c) c Training and development andincidentalexpenses. (c) (f) North/South Inter-Parliamentary North/South Association. (f) f Officepremises expenses. (f) j Pension schemeforsecretarial assistants. (j) i Grant inrespect of“CistePinsean Thithe anOireachtais”. (i) j Public relations andcommunications. (j) i Library andresearch services. (i) .Otherservices 2. .Administration 1. Houses oftheOireachtas. andother services. of theOireachtas Service. provision Estimate 7902,1 26,305 25,217 27,960 5471,6 10,709 14,564 15,407 ,8 3,082 3,388 ,8 ,3 2,217 2,630 2,685 ,2 ,2 8,419 8,528 9,228 ,2 9 415 2,842 399 2,671 2,520 2,949 ,4 5 1,819 853 2,842 ,5 ,6 1,509 1,467 1,657 ,4 6 695 660 1,343 2016* €000 9 ,3 948 1,032 995 7 4 550 444 770 5 8 747 781 850 5 8 250 180 355 125 210 241 199 50 10 Outturn €000 2016 55 5146 95 8125 98 0115 90 10 2 Outturn €000 2015 95 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 12 21 10 109 Annual Report 2016 110 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report * b Pensions offormermemberstheEuropean Parliament. (b) Otherexpensesrelating toCommittees. (b) Public Representation Allowance. (d) b Payments inrespect ofsecretarial assistanceformembers. (b) d Public Representation Allowance. (d) b Payments inrespect ofsecretarial assistanceformembers. (b) a Salariesofmembersthe European Parliament. (a) a Travel expenses. (a) Otherallowances. (e) a Salariesofmembers(includingOfficeHoldersandChairpersons (a) e Otherallowances. (e) a Salariesofmembers(includingOfficeHoldersandChairpersons (a) c Travel andAccommodationAllowance. (c) c Travel andAccommodationAllowance. (c) .MembershipofEuropean Parliament 6. .MembershipofSeanad Éireann 4. .MembershipofDáilÉireann 3. .MembershipofOireachtas Committees 5. constituent figures The estimateprovision isaspublishedonJuly2015.Anyapparent discrepancies intotalsare duetorounding of Surplus fortheyear Net Expenditure Receipts oftheCommission (Note4.1) DEDUCT Gross Expenditure of Committees). of Committees). provision Estimate 3,9 1,5 104,628 113,557 130,991 107,419 115,887 130,991 2372,3 17,401 22,739 22,307 4801,5 14,798 14,052 14,840 ,2 ,2 1,740 1,324 2,722 ,0 ,5 3,180 2,853 3,209 ,1 ,9 2,616 2,696 3,714 ,1 ,8 3,998 3,880 4,016 ,2 ,4 3,010 2,741 3,125 2016* ,1 ,0 1,180 1,107 1,218 €000 0 9 686 696 709 581 586 734 168 130 163 231 87 230 (2,791) (2,330) – € 17,434,507 Outturn €000 2016 87 24 81 € 7,669,223 Outturn €000 2015 87 58 47 88 1. Notes totheAppropriation Account Net allied services expenditure (Cash) Net alliedservices borneelsewhereExpenditure Direct expenditure Decrease instock Decrease inclosing accruals Changes innetcurrent assets Net Programme cost Notional Rents (Non-cash) Loss ondisposals Depreciation Purchases Cash Changes incapitalassets Net expenditure Receipts Deduct Gross expenditure Non-Pay Pay Operating CostStatement2016 oe€000 Note 2.4 2.2 1.2 1.1 (1,096) 1,041 907 91,100 59 1(7)58 (178) 11 4,5 130,686 144,252 1,7 104,686 114,479 1,5 104,628 113,557 107,419 115,887 46821,018 24,608 63428,341 26,374 95379,078 89,513 230 (2,791) (2,330) €000 ,6 4,982 5,165 2016 €000 2015 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report – 111 Annual Report 2016 112 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report “e” cost. indicatesthatthenumberisanestimatedvalue oranapportioned 1.2 The notionalrents figure above relates toState-owned accommodationoccupiedby theHousesof expenditure amount is made The up net of allied the services following amounts in relation to the Houses 1.1 oe9OfficeoftheRevenue Commissioners Vote 9 oe1 OfficeofPublic Works Vote 13 Superannuation andRetired Allowances Vote 12 the marketrental values forsuchaccommodation. Oireachtas andtheamountofrent estimatedby theOffice ofPublic Works thatitcouldearnbased on of theOireachtas Commissionborneelsewhere Net Allied Services (No. 38of1938,etc.) Re-imbursements ofElectoral Expenses to 2015 undertheElectoral Acts1992 Payments toqualifiedparties Parliamentary ActivitiesAllowances toLeaders Central Fund: e 46821,018 24,608 ,6 166 5,456 2,667 7,645 5,755 4,052 8,084 4,624 €000 ,9 3,308 3,191 2016 1 301 212 75 €000 2015 90 2. State Funding Account Represented By: Net Assets Net Current Assets Total Current Liabilities Other credit balances Accrued expenses Net LiabilityduetotheExchequer Less Current Liabilities Total Current Assets Other debitbalances Accrued income Prepayments Stocks Bank andCash Current Assets Capital Assets Balance Sheetasat31December2016 Note 2.6 2.7 2.5 2.4 2.3 2.2 ,7 4,001 3,078 4,001 3,078 2,019 442 3,853 2,694 3,911 4,645 (187) 2,060 2,109 2,286 ,5 2,609 1,050 €000 ,5 1,573 1,158 2016 9 1,892 792 606 709 3 633 635 9 250 191 1 €000 2015 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 4 113 Annual Report 2016 114 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 2.1 Note:“Account” refers tothefaceofAppropriation Account * Balance at31December Net programme cost Non cashexpenditure –notionalrent Expenditure (cash)borneelsewhere Net Provision Surplus Estimate provision Disbursements by theCommission Balance at1January State Funding Account con*(17,435) 130,991 Account* Account* Note 1 Note 1 Note 1 1422 (130,686) (144,252) 1,5 104,628 113,556 46821,018 24,608 ,7 4,001 3,078 ,0 4,059 4,001 ,6 4,982 5,165 €000 2016 €000 2015 * Disposalsincludeassets of€10.647mwithanetbookvalue ofzero, whichwere nolongerinuseandwrittenoff. ** Anyapparent discrepancies intotalsare duetorounding ofconstituentfigures * 2.3 2.2 Net Assetsat31December2015 Net Assetsat31December2016 Cumulative depreciation at31December2016 Depreciation on disposals** Depreciation for theyear Opening balanceat1January2016 Accumulated Depreciation: Gross assetsat31December2016 Disposal ** Additions Cost orvaluation at1January2016 Gross Assets Commercial BankAccounts balances PMG at 31December Bank andCash Capital Assets Equipment ,3 ,6 ,0 14,301 4,502 24,436 2,361 14,772 16,588 7,439 2,326 5,210 7,338 2,657 8,720 ,1 ,5 56026,545 15,680 2,651 8,214 €000 ,8 9 0 2,286 708 297 1,281 (384) (391) 7 2 0 2,109 908 325 876 484 897 IT Furniture Fittings €000 and 339907 379 43 6131,096 183 16 9 1,5)(11,053) (10,653) (9) 9 1,4)(11,042) (10,649) (9) Equipment ,6 (187) 2,060 ,5 (188) 2,059 Office €000 €000 2016 1 Total* €000 €000 2015 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 1 115 Annual Report 2016 116 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 2.5 2.4 2.6 * Other IT consumables Stationery at 31December Pension Contributions Value Added Tax Professional Services Withholding Tax Pay Related SocialInsurance Income tax Amounts duetotheState at 31December Other debititems Recoupment oftravel schemes Recoupable salaries at 31December Payroll deductionsheldinsuspense Universal SocialCharge amended andare accurately reflected forthe2016stockvaluation. the stationerystockfigure beingoverstated in2015by €43,026. The unitcostsfigures onthesystemhave been During thestocktakefor2016adiscrepancy wasfoundinthevaluation ofthestockfigure in2015. This resulted in Other DebitBalances Stocks Other Credit Balances ,9 442 442 2,694 2,425 €000 €000 €000 1,132 2016 2016 2016 3 633 409 211 635 403 225 269 279 3 122 132 3 189 137 613 9 250 191 211 38 3251 53 21 7 €000 €000 €000 2015 2015 2015 89* 39 13 2 – – – – 2.7 2.8 Other Credit balances Due toState Bank Creditors Other Debitbalances Bank Debtors Represented by: Balance brought forward at1January FundingNet Exchequer Due grantExchequer undrawn Surplus at 31December Grant subheads Procurement subheads Global commitments at 31December Net amountdue(from)/to theExchequer Commitments 2.6 2.6 2.3 2.5 2.3 1,3)(6,477) (17,438) 7457,669 17,435 264 (629) (442) (2,694) (2,425) 2,060 ,9 633 2,695 €000 €000 (269) 2016 2016 3 633 635 93 3 1,192 (3) (1,188) 4 1 1 (187) – – €000 €000 2015 2015 85 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 4 4 – – – 117 Annual Report 2016 118 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report original estimateprovision thatdoesnotmeettheabove criteriabutwhichwarrants explanation. by more than5%(25%inthecaseofadministrative subheads)orrepresents asignificantvariation from the each expenditure subheadwhere theoutturnvaried from theamountprovided by more than€100,000and Election andthelengthoftimetakentoformaGovernment. An explanationisprovided below inthecaseof variance ismainlyduetoreduced Parliamentary activityin2016asaresult oftheDáilandSeanadGeneral The finaloutturninrelation totheCommissionwas€17.4mlessthanStatement ofEstimate. The 3. parliamentary activities Grant inrespect ofinter- assemblies to otherparliamentary ofdelegates Expenses catering andbarstaff Payment inrespect of Other Services communications Public relations and Theunderspendarose duetotheelectionandsubsequent delay services (683) Library &research 1(h) Parliamentary printing policy review and value formoneyand Consultancy services external IT services Theunderspendinstafftravel costsarose asaresult oftheelectionand Office equipmentand incidental expenses (175) development and Training and 1(b) Travel andsubsistence the Oireachtas Service. of stafftheHouses allowances inrespect Salaries, wagesand Administration Description Variations inExpenditure ()(1)Theunderspend arose duetotheelection andlesstravel than undertaken (115) Theunderspend arose duetotheelection andlesstravel than undertaken 2(d) Theunderspendarose duetostaffvacancies andareduction inovertime (143) 2(b) (190) Theunderspendarose duetotheelection,withareduction inevent and 2(a) (109) Themainreason fortheunderspendwas (1)projects originallybudgeted 1(j) (326) 1(i) Theunderspendarose duetolessthananticipatedrequirement forexternal (2,121) Theunderspend arose duetoalessthananticipatedrequirement for(1)ICT 1(g) (700) Theunderspend relates toacontingencyof€ 1(e) (1,989) 1(c) Theunderspendrelates to35FTE’s vacancies atyear end. (2,743) 1(a) Head Sub- €000 provided than more (Less)/ had beenbudgetedfor. had beenbudgetedfor. costs duetotheelectionandsubsequentdelayinformingGovernment. associated costs. research asbudgetedand(3)eResources costswere lessthananticipated. did notprogress (2)there wasnorequirement forexternalcommissioned legal adviceandconsultancyservices. duetothereduction inParliamentary sittings. Sound support software maintenance, (2)printingequipmentforthePrint Facility and(3) other exceptional purposesbutnotrequired. Parliamentary sittings. in formingaGovernment, resulting inareduction inthenumberof delay insettinguptheCommitteesresulting inlesstravel undertaken. Explanation 2m provided forelectionand rvlepne ()(0)Theunderspend arose duetotheelectionandlateformationof (106) 5(a) Travel expenses Oireachtas Committees Membership of Allowance Public Representation Allowance Accommodation Travel and members Theestimateprovided forfulldrawdown, however, asaresult of theelection secretarial assistance for Payments inrespect of (1,398) Éireann Membership ofSeanad 3(e) Other allowances Allowance Public Representation Allowance Accommodation Travel and members secretarial assistance for Payments inrespect of Committees) and Chairpersonsof (including OfficeHolders Salaries ofmembers Éireann Membership ofDáil secretarial assistants Pension Scheme for Oireachtais Ciste Pinsean Thithe an Grant inrespect of of theOireachtas members oftheHouses in respect offormer Termination allowances (cont’d)Other Services Description ()(4)Theestimate provided forfulldrawdown, however, asaresult ofthe (148) Theestimate provided forfulldrawdown, however, asaresult ofthe 4(d) (111) Theunderspendrelates totheelectionwithadelayinrecruiting staffand 4(c) (1,018) 4(b) Theestimateprovided forfulldrawdown, however, asaresult oftheelection (384) Theestimateprovided forfulldrawdown, however, asaresult oftheelection 3(d) (356) Thisoverspend arose duetoapolicychangewhere MinistersSecretarial 3(c) 432 Theunderspendrelates3(b) to(i)areduction in T.D.’s from 166to158and(ii)no (788) Theoverspend arose duetotheelectionwithadditionalsecretarial staff 3(a) 37 2(j) (843) 2(i) Theestimatedbudgetfor Termination paymentstoMemberslosing/retiring (306) 2(g) Head Sub- €000 provided than more (Less)/ required. election andthereduction inthenumberofSeanad sittings,lessfundswere required. election andthereduction inthenumberofSeanadsittings,lessfundswere the redundancy budgetgreater thanactualrequirement. required. and thereduction inthenumberofParliamentary sittings,lessfundswere required. and thereduction inthenumberofParliamentary sittings,lessfundswere transferred totheOireachtas payroll scheme(+70). Assistants whowere previously paidfrom theirGovernment Departments salary paymentstomembersduringthedissolutionperiod. retiring thanhad beenoriginallyestimatedwhichwasbasedonpasttrends. result oftheelectionwas34. formonthlypensionpaymentsandlumpsums,actualincrease asa service this sub-head.Theestimateprovided for56newpensionerswithvarying Pensions toformerMembersoftheHousesOireachtas are paidfrom entitlement. varying entitlement,theactualturnover service was87withvarying service their seatsfollowing theelectionwasbasedona100memberturnover with Committees resulting inlesstravel thanhadbeenbudgeted for. undertaken required. and thereduction inthenumberofParliamentary sittings,lessfundswere Explanation Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 119 Annual Report 2016 120 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report the account. as areceipt asitisoffsetagainstpensionspaidtoformerMembersoftheEuropean Parliament undersubhead6(b)of Members’ contributionsundertheEuropean Parliament (IrishRepresentatives) Pension Scheme,1979are notincluded the 2017Estimates. The estimateforthereceipts oftheCommissionfor2016wasnil.Theprocess forestimatingreceipts wasreinstated for Notes MEP pensioncontributionsandare off-setagainstPensions offormermemberstheEuropeanMEP Parliament. 2016 wasretained by theCommissionandoffsetagainstitsgross expenditure. Receipts of€5,235relate to €52,441 relate to TDs andSenators dissolutionelectoral expenses andtheremaining €20,921received in receipts of€2,171,052relate remuneration, topensionrelated deductionsonpublicservice receipts of relate toCateringandBarservices. The remainder ofthereceipts are madeupofthefollowing categories, against itsgross expenditure. Receipts of€31,845relate receipts toBroadcasting of €54,000 services, The 2016financialstatementsrecord totalreceipts of€2,335,494retained by theCommissionandoffset performance ofitsfunctions. receipts oftheCommissionspecifiedinSchedule2toActshallbeusedby itforthepurposesof In accordance withtheprovisions oftheHousesOireachtas Commission(Amendment)Act2015, 4.1 4. Members’ contributionsundertheEuropean Parliament (IrishRepresentatives) 4 Receipts obtainedby theCommissioninperformanceofitsfunctions (other 3 2 Net income from catering and bar services (Note7.3) Net incomefrom cateringandbarservices 2 1 Sales of services ofBroadcasting Unit Salesofservices 1 Receipts Receipts oftheCommission Total Receipts Pension Scheme, 1979 Receipts recognised inAppropriation Account the membersorofstaffconcerned). members orofstaffthathave beenrecouped by theCommissionfrom than receipts in respect ofexpensespaidby theCommissiononbehalf ofits Realised 230 2,791 2,330 ,3 2,796 2,335 ,4 2,524 2,244 €000 2016 4225 54 32 5 Realised €000 2015 42 5 4.2 ** Balance at31December **Transferred to Vote 12Superannuation andRetired Allowances Receipts inrespect ofsuperannuation associatedwithsecondedstaff Balance at1January Retired Allowances. 31 December2014,alongwithallfuture receipts of thisnature, shouldbetransferred to Vote 12Superannuation and informedtheCommissionthatreceipts inrespect ofsuperannuation associated withsecondedstaffat In 2015DPER Extra ReceiptsExtra Payable totheExchequer €000 2016 (12) – – – – €000 2015 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 12 – – 121 Annual Report 2016 122 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report Houses oftheOireachtas Service* 5. Scheme forSecretarial AssistanceforMembersandParties Onthepayroll oftheHousesOireachtas Service * Total pay Severance Payments Employer’s PRSI Shift androster allowances Overtime Other allowances Higher, specialoradditionaldutiesallowances Pay Number ofstaffatyear end(fulltimeequivalents) Higher, specialoradditionaldutiesallowances Redundancy payments Pay Number ofstaffatyear end(fulltimeequivalents) Total pay Employer’s PRSI andextraOvertime attendance Employee NumbersandPay 68527,895 26,895 23,954 22,904 55220,913 25,542 66716,679 16,627 ,6 1,937 1,867 5,157 ,2 1,962 2,252 1,924 1,832 €000 €000 ,4 1,094 1,041 062015 2016 062015 2016 9 506 498 3 411 439 5 303 350 4 412 195 441 177 115 2 €000 €000 19 0 1 recoupment. The Commissionisincorrespondence withthepersonsinreceipt oftheoverpayments inorder topursue relating to28casesremains outstanding,ofwhich€26,831(18cases)have recovery arrangements inplace. €16,201 waspaidoffand2,726writtenoff/backorrevalued with €45,003 outstanding.82,913 recovered in2016with€37,910outstanding.Ofthecarriedforward balanceat1Jan2016of €63,930, In 2016,theCommissionidentified69casesofoverpayments totalling€81,327.Atotalof €43,417 was 5.2 5.1 in more thanone category Number ofindividualswhoreceived extra remuneration Overtime andextraOvertime attendance Higher, specialoradditionaldutiesallowances Parties Scheme forSecretarial AssistanceforMembers and in more thanone category Number ofindividualswhoreceived extra remuneration Shift androster allowances Overtime Other allowances Higher, specialoradditionaldutiesallowances Houses oftheOireachtas Service Number ofcasesat31December Outstanding balanceat31December Repayments/Adjustments Overpayments identifiedintheyear Outstanding balance1January Allowances Payments andOvertime Payroll overpayments Number of recipients 619 186 114 64 83 76 2 2 of €10,000 Recipients or more 24,7 38,719 48,776 72 22,5 23,264 27,254 32 23543,982 22,335 7 ,8 5,892 8,187 – ,9 492 1,397 – ,2 7,432 7,724 – 50614,722 15,086 1 61138,719 26,151 1 individual Maximum payment 6,4)(37,894) (62,344) 39056,257 63,930 29363,930 82,913 45,567 81,327 2016 2016 28 € € individual Maximum payment 2015 2015 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 13 € € 123 Annual Report 2016 124 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report payment of€78,096in38instances. The termsoftheAHCPS/IMPACT (PCW 1%Restructuring Agreement) were implementedresulting inatotal circulars. full compliancewithDPER boards, specialistparliamentaryandgovernanceinterview tasks.Pension abatementruleswere appliedin Payments totalling€23,355were paidtoretired were employed civilservants whoseservices onvarious 5.4 with recoupment arrangements inplace. Seanad were required torefund thepayments. There isanamountof€29,904outstandingatyear end the timeofapplicationforterminationin2016.Memberswhowent ontobeelectedornominatedthe termination payments. Termination paymentsof€3,179,319waspaidto93eligibleoutgoingmembersat consent tobenominatedasamemberofSeanadÉireann, mayobtainaterminationallowance, known as Former membersoftheHousesOireachtas whodonotpropose toseekelectionSeanadÉireann or Retirement paymentsisunderway. guidelinesrecoupmentresumed of€192,383 employment andinaccordanceVoluntary withDPER Early to Voluntary EarlyRedundancy/severance packages.12peopleformerlyemployed undertheschemehave related tostatutoryredundancy payments,€141,805related topensionlumpsumsand€3,836,343related statutory redundancy to226staffemployed undertheSchemeforSecretarial Assistance.Ofthis €1,178,746 A totalof€5,156,894waspaidoutin2016respect ofpensionlumpsums,severance paymentsand 5.3 Redundancy and Termination Payments Other Remuneration Arrangements conciliation andarbitration proceedings. Expenditure in2016includespaymentsof€7,175(2015: €2,870) tocover thecostsasaresult of 6.6 generate liabilities.Itisalsoappealing theaward ofcostsinacaserecently determinedby theHighCourt. The Commissionisinvolved inanumber oflegalproceedings which,dependingontheoutcome,may 6.5 Legal costspaidduringtheyear are categorisedasfollows: 6.4 6.3 6.2 6.1 6. Commission Claims againstthe Banking InquiryCosts Fixed Term CommissionsandSpecialInquiries Tax liabilitydischarged Total ofinterest andcompensationdue Miscellaneous Items Late Payment Interest andCompensation Tax liabilitydischarged Contingent Liabilities Commissions andSpecial Inquiries Legal Costs Arbitration andConciliationCosts Number of cases 9

Commission Legal costs paid bythe € 270 000

Appointment Compen- Year of awarded 2014 sation € 000

–

Expenditure to end2016 Legal Costs Cumulative awarded ,8 7 5,297 478 6,682 € € 000 000 270 –

Outturn € € € 2016 2016 2016 Total 2016 3 1,420 730 000 000 000 € 57 –

Outturn € € € 2015 2015 2015 2015 000 000 000 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 62 €

125 Annual Report 2016 126 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report Account ofReceipts andPayments for Year Ended31December2016 Grant toBritish-IrishParliamentary Assembly with bi-annualPlenarysessionsalternatingbetween Ireland andtheUK. Wales, Scotland,Jersey, GuernseyandtheIsleofMan.Funding isprovided andIrishExchequers by theUK Irish Parliamentarians Ireland, togetherwithParliamentarians from eachoftheAssembliesNorthern The British-IrishParliamentary Assemblywasestablishedin1990.Itsmembershipconsists ofBritishand 7.1 7. Balance asat31December Total Payments Miscellaneous Committees Plenary sessions Payments Total Receipts Miscellaneous receipts Grant [subhead 2(e)] Receipts Balance at1January Grant andMiscellaneousAccounts Grant toBritish-IrishParliamentary Assembly 67943,939 64,521 36,709 63,449 95,000 55,000 13,460 43,939 00311,577 49,910 10,083 51,670 95,000 56,219 ,9 3,034 1,696 1,219 2016 € 2015 € – Account ofReceipts andPayments foryear ended31December2016 Grant inrespect ofinter-parliamentary activities Cumann Parlaiminteach nahÉireann understanding andcontactsbetween IrishParliamentarians andthoseofothercountries. Chairman andfifteenmembersoftheOireachtas. The role oftheAssociationistofosterandpromote by anExecutive CommitteewhichconsistsoftheCeannComhairle,Chairman,Cathaoirleach,Deputy the HousesofOireachtas Commission. The powers oftheIrishParliamentary Associationare exercised The CumannParlaiminteach nahÉireann (TheIrishParliamentary Association)operates undertheremit of 7.2 Balance asat31December Opening Balance Surplus foryear Total Payments Other expenses Inter Parliamentary UnionConference expenses associatedwithforeignExpenses delegationsvisitingIreland associatedwithIrishdelegationsonforeignExpenses visits Payments Total Receipts Miscellaneous Reimbursements Members Subscriptions Grant [subhead 2(d)] Receipts Grant toCumannParlaiminteach nahÉireann (TheIrishParliamentary Association) 472130,748 66,044 94,782 54,002 42850,781 32,632 54,218 50,781 42,381 14,711 20,165 19,485 148,897 98,219 517145,908 95,117 ,3 18,149 3,437 ,5 2,159 2,159 ,3 7,612 1,130 2016 4 830 943 € 2015 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report € 127 Annual Report 2016 128 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report (ii) An amountis remitted from thecateringandbaraccountstoCommissiononanannualbasis (ii) Payroll costs ofthestaffCateringandBarare bornedirectly by theCommissionandare reflected (i) Notes toaccounts Balance Sheetasat31stDecember2016 AccountforyearIncome andExpenditure ended31stDecember2016 7.3 Repaid toHousesoftheOireachtas Profit/Loss current year Profit/Loss retained Finance by: Total netassets Trade creditors Current liabilities Bank andcash VAT Debtors Stock Current assets Fixed assets Net profit Expenses Gross profit Cost ofsales Sales suppliers. The amount remitted in2016was€54,000(2015:225,000). retention ofabankbalanceintheaccountequivalent to anaverage oftwo monthspaymentsto recorded as areceipt intheCommission’s accounts(Note4.1). The amountiscalculated basedonthe at subhead2(a)oftheAppropriation Accountamountingto€1,466,621in2016(2015: €1,509,374). Accounts oftheCateringandBarServices ,8,4 1,280,667 1,184,049 3034 (324,904) (390,304) 6045 (556,465) (610,465) (750,697) (729,021) 282,650 8,5 274,418 282,650 529,970 455,028 2,9 623,438 828,391 262,167 116,617 305,312 137,657 6,8)(27,317) (60,982) 474207,445 64,724 39,568 38,320 474205,066 64,724 06062,732 36,715 50,610 35,128 19746,103 81,917 2016 2016 € € 274,418 2015 2015 € € material non-compliancewith theAct. reasonable andnotabsoluteassurance against compliance withtheAct,theycanonlyprovide While theprocedures are designed toensure provisions ofthelegislationare compliedwith. to allstaffprocessing paymentstoensure thatthe Instructions have beenissuedby theFinanceUnit the provisions ofthelegislation. good financialandcashmanagementpractices and due regard tocontractual termswhere applicable, tosettleallinvoices promptlythe Service with Itisthepolicyof May 2002withintheService. The Acthasbeenimplementedinfullsince10 Regulations 2012(S.I.No. 580of2012). (Late Payment inCommercial Transactions) Accounts Act1997andtheEuropean Communities with theprovisions ofthePrompt Payment of complies The HousesoftheOireachtas Service Statement ofCompliance 2016 to31December Period covered bythisreview: 1January Commercial Transactions. onCombatingLatePayment in 2011/7/EU This statutoryinstrumentgives effecttoDirective Appendix V (S.I. No. 580of2012). (Late Payment inCommercial Transactions) Regulations 2012 Payment ofAc Report onCompliancewiththeProvisions ofthePrompt counts Act1997andtheEuropean Communities 21st March,2017 Corporate andMembers’ Services Assistant Secretary, Michael Errity, 2016 to31December2016. commercial paymentsprocessed from 1January interest, representing 2.4%ofthetotalnumber payments wouldhave incurred prompt payment 91 been inplaceonastatutorybasis,further change inGovernment policy. Hadthe15daytarget suppliers from 30daysto15reflect a its maximumtarget periodforpaymentsto reducedWith effectfrom 15June2009,theService Reduction ofpaymentperiodto15days prompt paymentinterest was0.06%. in 2016)represented by paymentswhichinvolved total value ofcommercial payments(€19.2million ofthe During theperiodinquestionproportion that incurred PPI was34days. €11,574. The average delayinmakingpayments of €317;thetotalvalue oftheeightpaymentswas Eight ofthesepaymentsinvolved invoices inexcess late paymentswas€730.22. and penalties(€610.00)paidinrespect ofthese late paymentsandtheamountofinterest (€120.22) In theperiodunderreview there were atotalof14 of theActwithinrelevant period Payments thatfelldueundertheterms Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 129 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 2016

Appendix VI

130 Report on the Work of the Parliamentary Committees 2016

Oireachtas Committee Related Activities and Developments

Role of the Committees’ Secretariat The role of the Committees’ Secretariat is to provide an efficient and effective secretariat and ancillary support services for the Committees of the Houses in undertaking their work, and to plan and make provision for future developments in the Committee system. The Committees’ Secretariat seeks to ensure the highest standards in supporting the Committees to enable them to fulfil their roles in accordance with the strategic objectives of the Service. Annual Report 2016

Work of the Committees of the 31st Dáil and 24th Seanad In the period before the dissolution of the Dáil in February 2016, the final meetings of the Committees of the 31st Dáil and 24th Seanad were held. During this time Committees held 35 meetings, involving 53 witnesses and 43 sitting hours. The sectoral Committees also considered 50 EU proposals and agreed three Political Contributions which were submitted to the European Parliament, Council and Commission. There were 17 policy reports, as listed below, published, bringing the work of the Committees of the 31st Dáil and the 25th Seanad to a conclusion. include: and operation oftheCommittees. These reforms wide-ranging andinfluencedboththestructure The reform measures thatwere introduced were implementation ofaprogramme ofDáilreform. Seanad were establishedagainstabackdrop of the Committeesof32ndDáiland25th Following theelectionstobothHouses, Reform oftheCommitteeSystem 32nd Dáiland25thSeanad Work oftheCommittees Petitions Oversight and Public Service Innovation Jobs, Enterpriseand Health andChildren European UnionAffairs and theGaeltacht Environment, Culture Protection Education andSocial the Marine Agriculture, Food and Seanad) (31stDáil/24th Committee n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n Reports (31stDáil/24thSeanad) Shannon Airport andIrishairspace” fromShannon Airport Dr. Edward Horgan andShannonwatch Petitions –petitionP00072/12:“Investigation militaryandCIAuseof Report intoUS Oversight andPetitions onimprovementReport totherole andremit oftheJointCommitteeonPublic Service onhearingsinrelation totheroleReport andremit ofanOmbudsman concerning contracts for theonlineandotherdistancesalesofgoods Political contributiononCOM(2015)635: proposal foraDirective aspects oncertain ontheall-islandeconomy Report onqualityandaffordable childcareReport ontherole ofadvocacyReport inIreland inhealthandsocialcare services Submission tothereview of foreign policyandexternalrelations and MonetaryUnion Political contributionontheFive Presidents’ onCompletingEurope’s Report Economic Approved HousingBodies)Bill2015 oftheJointCommitteeongeneral schemeoftheHousing(RegulationReport of Union Political contributionontheproposed reform oftheelectoral lawoftheEuropean ontheconsultationproposed ElectoralReport Commission2016 2013 oftheCommitteeonpolicyissuesrelating totheCemeteryManagementBill Report ontherole ofthespecialneedsassistant Report onClassKPRSI Report ontheIrishhorseindustry Report onthegreyhound industry Report n n n n the establishment oftheStanding Select a renewed focus onfinancialscrutinywith Committee onBudgetaryOversight andthe Islands,andtheSelect Gaeltacht – theJointCommitteeonIrishLanguage, establishment oftwonewStanding Committees responsible forshadowing oneDepartment Committees, from 9to13,witheachCommittee an increase inthenumberofsectoral and 4Senators) a range of15-24to11members(7 Deputies membership ofCommitteesreduced from Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 131 Annual Report 2016 132 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report n procedural, to: policyandadministrative support Secretariat hascontinuedtoprovide ongoing in 2016.DuringthatperiodtheCommittees’ The Committeestructure hascontinued toevolve 25th Seanadwere establishedinMay2016. The firstCommitteesofthe32ndDáiland Committee System n n n n n Éireann] Oversight, andMembers’ Interests ofDáil [Committee ofPublic Accounts;Budgetary three Dáil SelectStanding Committees during itsconsideration atCommitteeStage Committee, totableamendmentsaBill all Deputies,includingnon-membersofa changes toStanding Orders tofacilitate the plenarysittingsofDáil times toavoid, where possible,conflictwith introduction ofdedicatedcommitteesitting in theHouses torepresentationare allocatedproportionately system underwhichCommitteeChairpositions allocation ofCommitteeChairsusingthed’Hondt Private Members’ Bills,priortoCommitteeStage; detailed scrutinyofdraft legislation,including under theirorders ofreference, including additional functionsallocatedtoCommittees publicimportance subject ofparticular recommendations totheHousesona Committees toexamineandmake establishment ofanumberSpecial Special CommitteeonBudgetaryArrangements ofthe budgetary process containedinareport the role oftheHousesOireachtas inthe recommendations todevelop andsupport Committee onBudgetaryOversight following In implementing thisrecommendation, provision to invitethe Taoiseach before theCommittee. (in 2014)thatthe WGCC shouldhave the power The ConstitutionalConvention recommended Committee. monitors budgetaryallocationsmadetoeach Committees. The WGCC alsodeterminesand and consultsonmattersrelating totheworkof Committee Chairpersons(WGCC) whichliaises theworkof WorkingIt supports Group of Inter-Parliamentary Association(NSIPA). Parliamentary Assembly(BIPA) andtheNorth/South theworkofBritish-Irish for thesupporting The Committees’ Secretariat alsohasresponsibility n n n n n n Committees] prior totheestablishmentofSectoral draft legislative proposalsthe scrutinyofEU Committee, whichwasestablishedtocarryout One interimCommittee[theStanding Order 112 Arrangements forBudgetaryScrutiny] Homelessness; andtheSelectCommitteeon theSelectCommitteeonHousingand Services; on theFuture Funding ofDomestic Water on theFuture ofHealthcare; theJointCommittee four SpecialCommittees[theSelectCommittee Agreement andEuropean UnionAffairs] area remits [ImplementationoftheGoodFriday two JointCommitteeswithspecificsubject Committees”) (generally referred toasthe“Sectoral withassociatedSelectCommittees departments 13 JointCommitteeswhichshadow government andtheIslands] and IrishLanguage,Gaeltacht two JointStanding Committees[Public Petitions [Members’ Interests ofSeanadÉireann] one SeanadSelectStanding Committee performance informationincluded intheEstimates. forincluding andopportunities Services Mid-Year Review of the 2016EstimatesforPublic meetings withtherelevant Ministerstodiscussthe Committee. Inaddition,allJointCommitteesheld and motionsreferred toandscrutinised by the by thedetailedconsideration ofbills,estimates scrutiny andoversight functions. This isevidenced Committees have placedstrong emphasisontheir Since theirestablishmentinJune2016,theSectoral The Work ofSectoral Committeesin2016 www.oireachtas.ie the Housesare available ontheOireachtas Website, The powers andfunctionsoftheCommittees conferences andmeetings. annual andbi-annualinterparliamentary Programmes. in Committeesalsoparticipated with theprioritiesoftheirrespective Work officialtravelCommittees undertook inaccordance political contributionspublished.In2016, Scrutinyreports/ andthree EU scrutiny reports There were twofinancial eightpolicyreports, 939 speakingwitnessesand686sittinghours. Committees andSpecialinvolving Committees, SelectStanding In 2016,there were 288meetingsoftheJoint Committee Outputs time in2017. Taoiseach isduetoappearbefore WGCC forthefirst of eachyear todiscussmattersofpublicpolicy. The appear before the WGCC in theSpringandAutumn was madeinStanding Orders forthe Taoiseach to n n Agriculture, Food andtheMarine hereunder. foreachSectoral Committeearereports setout considered by Committees,thekeyactivitiesand (Brexit). To illustrate thebreadth ofpolicymatters Referendum onmembershipof the European Union Committees prioritisedmattersarisingfrom theUK considered by theSectoral Committees.Manyofthe functions, awiderange ofpolicymatterswere theirscrutinyandoversightIn undertaking Contribution totheEuropean Institutions. This CommitteealsosubmittedonePolitical Houses andforwarded totheEuropean Institutions. one Reasoned Opinionwhichwasagreed by the Expenditure andReform and Taoiseach prepared proposals. The JointCommitteeonFinance,Public Committees ofthe32ndDáilconsidered 224 from SeptembertoDecember2016thesectoral European Union(Scrutiny)Act2002.Intheperiod ontheOperation ofthe in its2016AnnualReport by theJointCommitteeonEuropean UnionAffairs legislation. separately This activityisreported EU including theconsideration ofdraft proposals for matters, They alsocontinuedtoengageinEU their consideration atCommitteeStage. and thescrutinyofPrivate Members’ Billspriorto Government Billsinadvance oftheirpublication scrutiny (PLS)oftheGeneral Schemesof pre-legislativeThe Committeesalsoundertook in support oftheIrishmushroom sector in support submission ontherequirement foraction published December2016] oftheIrishtillagesector[report in support Submission ontherequirement foraction Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 133 Annual Report 2016 134 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report n n n n n Affairs and Gaeltacht Heritage,Regional, RuralArts, n to areas withintheremit ofthe committee draft proposals relatingand scrutinyofEU Engagement withrelevant European bodies Mary Robinson Centre West CorkDevelopment andthe Partnership upgrading oftheN59nationalprimary road, , Engagement ontheInisMórFerry Service Gaeltachta funding forForas andÚdarásna naGaeilge 2017 budgetfortheIrishlanguage,including Regional, Affairsonthe Rural andGaeltacht Heritage, Engagement withtheMinisterforArts, of agenciesundertheaegisDepartment Engagement withtheChairpersonsdesignate of2017 in thefirstquarter totheHousesonthismatter to present areport Sustain a Viable Rural Community.Itproposes in preparation Whatittakesto foritsreport Medical, SecurityandCommunityGroups – Programme, Partnership, CountyCouncils, a totalof40stakeholders–from LEADER The Committeeheldeightmeetingswith of2017 the firstquarter totheHousesonthismatterin present areport agri-food andfisheriessectors.Itproposes to membership oftheEuropean UnionontheIrish Referendum on on theimpactofUK the Committeeheldanumberofmeetings n n n n n n n Communications, Climate Action and Environment n n n n n Children and Youth Affairs Health Fracturing ontheEnvironment andHuman Protection Agencyonthe Impacts ofHydraulic oftheEnvironmental Bill] andtheReport Onshore Petroleum Bill2016[Private Members’ Prohibition oftheExploration andExtraction of Teilifís Éireann Proposed appointmentto theBoard ofRaidió Future Broadcasting Funding ofPublic Service from 2021to2030 gas emissionreductions by MemberStates COM(2016)482: bindingannualgreenhouse energy framework change andforestry intothe2030climateand emissions andremovals from landuse,use COM(2016)479: theinclusionofgreenhouse gas President, Mr. AndrusAnsip Commission Vice-– engagementwiththeEU Digital SingleMarketintheEuropean Union of AnPost Engagement withtheChairpersonDesignate Engagement withOmbudsmanforChildren forprivate services familylawcourts support Child ContactCentres andancillaryfamily children andtheirfamilies Migrant Rightsimpactingundocumented Early Years Forum a visittotheCampus Children DetentionCampusincluding ofoperationsOverview atOberstown n n n n ofthe Taoiseachand theDepartment Finance, Public ExpenditureandReform n n n n Education andSkills [Report duetobepublished in 2017] 2016 [Report – Central Bank(Variable Bill Rate Mortgages) Legislative ScrutinyofPrivate Members’ Bill Commission inNovember 2016] [Political contributionsubmittedtothe by extendingitto2018-2020–COM(2016)557 on theEuropean statisticalprogramme 2013-17, scrutiny ofaproposal toamendaregulation collected from samples–COM(2016)551; and statistics relating topersonsandhouseholds, establishing acommonframework forEuropean Scrutiny ofaproposal foraregulation and agreed inDecember2016] opinion submittedtoDáilandSeanadÉireann COM(2016)683 &COM(2016)685 [Reasoned on acommoncorporate taxbase(CCTB)– consolidated corporate taxbase(CCCTB)and Scrutiny of proposals for directives on a common publishedinNovember[Report 2016] Rising costsofmotorinsurance Research Centre Chairperson DesignateoftheEducational of theHigherEducationAuthorityand Engagement withtheChairpersonDesignate Engagement withkeystakeholders Education (AdmissiontoSchools)Bill2016: pupilswithspecialeducationalneeds support teaching resources tomainstream schoolsto Review ofthepilotanewmodelforallocating funding ofHigherLevel EducationinIreland Engagement withkeystakeholdersonthefuture n n n n n n Health n n n n Foreign Affairs, Trade andDefence n (Supervised InjectingFacilities) Bill2016(PLS) (Supervised General SchemeoftheMisuse Drugs and Patient SafetyBill(PLS) General SchemeoftheHealthInformation provisions (PLS) (Amendment) Bill–‘OpenDisclosure’ General SchemeoftheCivilLiability The meritsoflicensingmedicinalcannabinoids Health Engagement –engagementwiththeMinisterfor TaskDepartment Force andthe Winter Initiative Drugs Pricing Agreement, theEmergency (section 39oftheHealthAct2004) organisationsRegulation ofHSE-funded The current situationinSyria Mr. ChristosStylianides Humanitarian AidandCrisisManagement, Commissioneron Engagement withtheEU The Kevin BellRepatriation Trust and Oxfam Global Migration –engagementwithDóchas to bepublishedin2017] Pensions due OmbudsmanBill2016[Report and the draft HeadsoftheFinancialServices of Ireland (Amendment)Bill2014togetherwith Authority – Central Bank&FinancialServices Legislative ScrutinyofPrivate Members’ Bill Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 135 Annual Report 2016 136 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report n n n Justice andEquality n n n Jobs, EnterpriseandInnovation n n n and Local Government Housing, Planning,Community of theBill –LegislativeCoroners Bill2015(PMB) Scrutiny publishedinDecember 2016] [Report OversightGarda andAccountability publishedinOctober2016] [Report Formal recognition ofIrishSignLanguage in2017 to publishingareport Legislative scrutinyoftheBillwithaview – Banded HoursContract Bill2016(PMB) Authority the IrishAuditingandAccountingSupervisory Engagement withtheChairpersonDesignateof in 2017) proposed tobepublished meetings held(Report being takentomitigatepotentialrisks–seriesof emphasis onjobsandenterprisethesteps Likely economicimpactofBrexit withparticular Government Association andofIrishLocal Engagement withCountyandCityManagement Local EconomicandCommunityPlans– Regions Planning InstituteandAssociationofIrish Community andLocal Government, theIrish ofHousing,Planning, with Department National PlanningFramework –Engagement Planning, CommunityandLocal Government – EngagementwiththeMinisterforHousing, Action PlanforHousingandHomelessness n n n n n Transport, Tourism andSport n n n n Social Protection n n n n related mattersincluding: The Committeeconsidered arange ofEU- Joint CommitteeonEuropean UnionAffairs including Special Committeesin2016 The Work Committees, ofthe“Thematic” of the Dublin Airport Authority(DAA) of theDublinAirport Engagement withtheChairpersonDesignate Roads Infrastructure Programme Tourism Competitiveness Strategy withtheexpressway network services transport andtheco-ordination oftheruralservices Bus Éireann inter-urban andexpressway “A Vision forPublic Transport” Pensions policyandreform Labour activation measures Lone ParentsSupporting Assistance Payment Schemes Rent SupplementandHousing for Agriculture andRural Development] [engagement withtheEuropean Commissioner Agriculture andRuralEU Development European Affairs] [engagement withtheMinisterfor Pre-General AffairsCouncil Meetings and Malta Presidency Priorities oftheSlovakEU Republic UK’s withdrawal from theEuropean Union] discussions withMemberStates onthe UK’s [seriesof withdrawal from theEU the Fresh Agreement Start . Irelanddevelopments including inNorthern Ireland, and relating toprisonsinNorthern (Narrow Water BridgeandN2-A5road), matters cross-border cooperation on road infrastructure Other topicsexaminedby theCommitteeincluded Brexit forBritish-IrishRelations. Select Committeetodiscusstheimplicationsof HouseofLords Affairs a delegationfrom theUK EU business community. The Committeealsometwith Ireland Justice, andmembersoftheNorthern Body, theCommitteeonAdministration of ProgrammesCooperation Ireland, theSpecialEU theCentre forCross BorderMLA, Studies, Ireland MinisterforFinanceMr. ÓMuilleoir Máirtín and Trade, Mr. CharlesFlanagan TD, theNorthern heard evidencefrom theMinisterforForeign Affairs Ireland more generally.for Northern The Committee Friday cooperation, and Agreement, forNorth-South examining theimplicationsofBrexit fortheGood The majorfocusoftheworkCommitteewas of theGoodFriday Agreement Joint CommitteeontheImplementation with European Affairs(COSAC) heldinBratislava. Parliaments oftheEuropean MemberStates dealing Conference oftheCommitteesNational inthe The JointCommitteealsoparticipated n of the European Court ofAuditors] of theEuropean Court [engagement withMr. Kevin Cardiff, member ofAuditors2016 oftheCourt Annual Report n n n and AuditorGeneral. Mattersconsidered included: that were oftheComptroller thesubjectof reports andpublicbodiestoexaminematters departments public meetingswithanumberofgovernment In thecourseof2016,Committeealsoheld onthematterinearly2017. report It isexpectedthattheCommitteewillmakea and heard from relevant personsandbodies. public hearingstoitsexaminationofthetransaction named Project Eagle,theCommitteededicated11 inasalecode- Ireland loanportfolio its Northern Auditor General’s onNAMA’s SpecialReport Saleof Arising from thepublicationofComptroller and in thedelivery ofpublicservices. efficiently andthatvalue formoneyisachieved are run focus isonensuringpublicservices Standing CommitteeofDáilÉireann whosemain The CommitteeofPublic Accounts(PAC) isa Committee ofPublic Accounts by theHSE). allowances andgovernance offundingprovided 39 oftheHealthAct2004(remuneration, fundingundersections 38and receipt ofHSE – agenciesin Executive (HSE) Health Service Flood RiskManagement Tax Compliance Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 137 Annual Report 2016 138 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report n n n In 2016: the House. withintwomonthsofitbeinglaidbefore the Report the relevant sectoral Committee hasnotconsidered if include consideration ofanOmbudsmanReport remit oftheJointCommitteeonPublic Petitions to Committee onProcedure agreed tobroaden the The sub-CommitteeonDáilReform ofthe to address theCommitteeonmatter. about thepetitionandmayalsoinvitepetitioner Ministers toattendmeetingsandanswer questions agencies. The Committeehasthepower toinvite government andotherbodies departments may seekoral orwrittenevidencefrom relevant Committee. Ifapetitionisinorder, theCommittee the publicmaysubmitpetitionsdirectly tothe Oireachtas wasestablishedin2012.Membersof The Public Petitions System oftheHouses relevant bodies onmattersraised inthepetitions. and engageswithgovernment and departments petitions submittedtotheHousesofOireachtas the Committeereceives andconsiderspublic ofitsremit, tocitizens. Aspart of publicservices work onidentifyingimprovements inthedelivery Committee onPublic Petitions seekstofocusits In itsconsideration ofpublicpetitions,theJoint Joint CommitteeonPublic Petitions inadmissible, five petitions were closed Of these,three petitions were deemedtobe three occasions andconsidered tenpetitions. the JointCommitteeonPublic Petitions meton remit of theCommittee one occasiontoconsidermattersrelating tothe the SelectCommitteeonPublic Petitions meton lapsed onthedissolutionof31stDáil 33 newpetitionswere received, nineofthese 12 meetingsinvolving over 35 witness groups. of keypolicymattersitwished toexamine.Itheld of twomonths,theCommittee identifiedanumber recommendations onthismatter. Over thecourse homelessness inIreland andtomake to examinetheproblems ofhousingand Committee onHousingandHomelessness On 14April2016,theDáilestablished Committee onHousingandHomelessness n n n n n Irish language.Otherkeyprioritiesinclude: other organisations the whichpromote andsupport held meetingswithAnCoimisinéir Teanga andwith creating atrulybilingualsociety. The Committee Irish Language2010to2030andprogress towards implementation ofthe20 Year Strategy onthe The Committeeprovides oversight ofthe established by theHouseson21July2016. andtheIslandswas Language, theGaeltacht The Standing JointCommitteeontheIrish andtheIslands the Gaeltacht Committee ontheIrishLanguage, products monitoring theavailability ofIrishlanguage promotion ofIrishthrough education it reviewing legislationto“Irish-proof” language provision through Irish ofpublicservices of publicservants withfluencyinIrishandthe monitoring progress inincreasing thenumber and facilitiesthrough Irish monitoring theprovision ofservices by theCommittee. considered further and twopetitionsremain openandwillbe following consideration by theCommittee, in oversight andscrutinyofbudgetary matters.Its theDáil was establishedwithakeyrole tosupport established by the DáilinJuly2016. The Committee The CommitteeonBudgetary Oversight was Committee onBudgetaryOversight on 30June2016. including recommendations,of its report, to the Dáil The Committeedischarged itsremit onpresentation oversight by theDáilofbudgetaryprocess. growing politicaldemandforgreater scrutinyand Budgetary Oversight by Parliament: Ireland, and established asaresponse totheOECDreport, annual budgetarycycle. The Committeewas and achieve accountabilitythroughout the the Oireachtas toinfluencetheannualBudget and ongoingbasis,theabilityofHouses required onanexante todevelop andsupport, procedural, administrative andstatutorychanges The Committeewascharged withconsideringthe May 2016. Scrutiny wasestablishedby order oftheDáil5 A SelectCommitteeonArrangements forBudget for BudgetScrutiny Select CommitteeonArrangements established on16June2016. Planning, CommunityandLocal Government of theremit oftheSectoral CommitteeonHousing, subject ofhousingandhomelessnessformedpart totheHouses17June2016,and of itsreport The Committeedischarged itsremit onpresentation which were totheHouses. presented initsreport key actions,including19priorityrecommendations, submissions received, theCommitteeidentified On thebasisofevidenceconsidered and health policyin Ireland. Inthe periodfrom Juneto long-term visionforhealthcare anddirection of agreement onasingle to devisecross-party established on1June2016with orders ofreference The CommitteeontheFuture ofHealthcare was Committee ontheFuture ofHealthcare also recommended by theOECDreport. establishment ofaParliamentary Budget Office, the Committeewillbeenhancedin2017with 2016. Itisexpectedthatthepotentialandimpactof in advance ofpresentation oftheBudgetinOctober The Committee’s waspresented totheDáil report n n n n n matters suchas: Budget 2017inthecourseofwhichitexamined The Committeeheldanumberofmeetingson this engagementmore effective. and madeanumberofrecommendations tomake parliamentary engagementinthebudgetprocess and weaknesses ofIreland’s systemof presented ananalysisofthestrengthsThe report Review ofBudgetOversight by Parliament: Ireland. the area ofexantescrutinybudgetaryproposals: 2015 oftherole oftheHousesOireachtas in establishment resulted by from theOECDin areport in corporation taxreceipts the needtoexaminepotentialvolatility by vulture fundstoavoid payingtax the needtoaddress loopholesbeingused owned by thelocalauthorities the needtoprotect thestockofhouses in thecontextofcapitalinvestment the inflexibilityofFiscalRules, especially that are endangeringeconomicgrowth investment programme toaddress bottlenecks the needforanenhancedinfrastructure Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 139 Annual Report 2016 140 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report its final report to28April2017. its finalreport extended theCommittee’s deadlinefor reporting policy matters.On13December2016,DáilÉireann with theCommitteetodiscussdetailedhealth a Trinity HealthPolicy Team heldthree workshops workstreams. InNovember andDecember 2016, 4 August2016whichoutlined12Committee on The Committeeproduced aninterimreport below.by stakeholdertypeinthechart wide range ofstakeholders. These are categorised received over 150writtensubmissionsfrom a apublicconsultationprocess and undertook with 32stakeholdergroups. The Committeealso December 2016,theCommitteeheldmeetings Individuals Political Professional Advocacyandvoluntary Department ofHealthandStateAgencies Academic &Policy 1% 27% 14% 2%3% 16% 12% 25% Trade Union Industry of DáilÉireann andSeanad Éireann eachhave The SelectCommitteesonMembers’ Interests of DáilÉireann andSeanad Éireann Committees onMembers’ Interests the European Institutions. which wasagreed by theHousesandsubmittedto andBranches, Undertakings Information by Certain Directive Concerning theDisclosure ofIncome Tax COM(2016)198, Proposal foraEuropean and prepared oneReasoned Opinion,on the Treaty. The Committeeconsidered 13proposals with the“principle ofsubsidiarity”asdefinedunder Lisbon Treaty, tomonitorcompliance inparticular powers ofbothHousestheOireachtas underthe established, asaninterimmeasure, toexercise the Order 112SelectCommitteeofDáilÉireann was Committees ofthe32ndDáil,Standing Pending theestablishmentofsectoral of DáilÉireann Standing Order 112SelectCommittee March 2017. to both Housesin a viewtopresenting itsreport continue itsseriesofpublichearingsin2017with submissions from relevant stakeholdersandwill 13 December2016. The Committeehasrequested meeting. The Committeehelditsfirstmeetingon recommendations, withinthree monthsofitsfirst totheHouses,with Water andtoreport Services Commission ontheFuture Funding ofDomestic oftheExpert established toconsidertheReport Future Funding ofDomestic Water was Services In November 2016,theJointCommitteeon of Domestic Water Services Joint CommitteeontheFuture Funding n n Other themesincluded: of discussion. membershipwasakeytheme referendum onEU addressed theAssembly. The outcome oftheUK Overseas Development Aid,Mr. JoeMcHugh TD, 2016. The MinisterofState fortheDiaspora and Assembly (BIPA) washeldinMalahideon3–5July The 52ndPlenaryoftheBritishIrishParliamentary British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly use ofpre-paid Oireachtas envelopes. results ofaninvestigation by itconcerningthe ofthe of SeanadÉireann alsopublishedareport The SelectCommitteeonMembers’ Interests n n 31 December2016,asfollows: in respect oftheregistration period1Januaryto carried outitsstatutoryfunctionsundertheActs, In thecourseofyear eachSelectCommittee normal wayfor2017. Éireann. These were adoptedandcirculated inthe for non-OfficeholdingMembersofDáilandSeanad including theadoptionandcirculation ofGuidelines the provisions oftheEthicsinPublic OfficeActs, functions assignedtotheminaccordance with over thelastcentury the evolution oftheBritish-Irishrelationship countries inthe BIPA member joint tourismopportunities ensure complianceby themwiththeEthicsActs concerning thestepstobetakenby themto prepared andissuedguidelinestomembers of theEthicsinPublic OfficeActs with theconsultationprocess undersection5 Registrable Interests formembers inaccordance considered thedraft formofStatement of BIPA jurisdictions. fundingandgovernancehealth service inthe engagement inpolitics,andadiscussionon Assembly membersontheirworkyouth Other topicsincludedapresentation by Welsh on Brexit. Affairs Committee,alsoaddressed theAssembly Lord Whitty, amemberoftheHouseLords EU Irish AmbassadortoBritain,Mr. DanMulhall,and Ireland.Assembly ondevelopments inNorthern The Ireland, JamesBrokenshire MP, whoalsobriefedthe Walker MP, andtheSecretary ofState forNorthern Robin theEU, forExiting State attheDepartment of Wales, theUnder-Secretary Carwyn JonesAM, of debate. The Assemblyheard from theFirstMinister Brexit forBritish-Irishrelations wasthekeyfocusof on 27–29November 2016. The implications of The 53rd BIPA PlenarytookplaceinCardiff, Wales, presented by BIPA CommitteeB(European Affairs). onVisaThe Plenaryalsoadoptedareport Systems n of Brexit ontheAgri-Food Sector. the Associationheard apresentation ontheimpact Brexit fortheislandofIreland generally. Inaddition, heard presentations onthepotential impactof Stormont on1–2December2016. The Association Interparliamentary Associationwasheldin South The plenarysessionoftheNorth Association Parliamentary Inter-North/South 1916 Risingandthe War ofIndependence. the role ofwomenintheFirst World War, the Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 141 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 2016

Appendix VII

142 Annual Report of the Audit Committee of the Commission 2016

1. Establishment and Membership n Mr. Bryan O’Sullivan (External member) of the Committee n Mr. Charles Hearne, Principal Officer The Audit Committee was placed on a statutory Following the 2016 General Elections, the footing in 2010. The relevant provisions were made membership of the Audit Committee was as follows: under the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission n Mr. Eddie Sullivan (Chairperson) (Amendment) Act 2009, which was enacted on 21 n Senator Ned O’Sullivan December 2009, and came into effect on 1 January 2010. n Senator Catherine Ardagh n Senator Victor Boyhan The Committee is composed of between 5 and 8 n Senator Kieran O’Donnell members appointed by the Commission as follows: n Mr. Pat McLoughlin (External member)* a) one member of the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission; n Mr. Charles Hearne, Principal Officer

Annual Report 2016 b) at least one but not more than 3 other members * Mr. Pat McLoughlin was appointed Chairman of either House of the Oireachtas who are not of the Audit Committee by the Commission on 15 November 2016 following the resignation of members of the Commission; Mr. Eddie Sullivan on 27 October 2016. c) at least 2 but not more than 3 external persons nominated by the Secretary General, one of 3. Role of the Audit Committee whom is designated by the Commission as Chairperson of the Committee; and The role of the Committee is to: d) one member of the staff of the Service a) advise the Secretary General on financial nominated by the Secretary General. matters relating to his or her functions, b) advise the Commission on matters of corporate 2. 2016 Membership of the Committee governance relating to its functions, and (c) meet at least four times annually and report in n Mr. Eddie Sullivan (Chairperson) writing at least once a year to the Commission n Deputy John Browne on its activities in the previous year. n Deputy Joe Costello n Deputy Seán Fleming n Deputy Peter Mathews n Mr. Cyril Maybury (External member) published. Commission’s with whichitis AnnualReport periodof the year basistoalignwiththereporting isonacalendar periodforthisreport The reporting 4. it considersappropriate) toattend specificmeetings. (oranyotherperson financial mattersintheService also invitethepersonwhohasresponsibility for Committee otherwisedecides. The Committeemay attend meetingsoftheCommittee,save where the The HeadofInternalAuditandtheAuditor theformofaccountsCommission d) theappropriateness, efficiencyand c) compliancewithsection22oftheExchequer b) theproper implementationofpublicservice a) to hisorherfunctionsincluding: Secretary General onfinancialmattersrelating The Committee’s role includesadvisingthe Expenditure andReform. for approval by theMinisterforPublic internalaudit,controls; and reporting, disposing ofassets,riskmanagement,financial sanction, acquiring,keepingcustodyofand for expenditure andcomplyingwiththat relating topublicprocurement, seekingsanction effectiveness oftheCommission’s procedures imposed by lawrelating tofinancialmatters; (Amendment) Act 1993 and any other obligations of theComptroller andAuditorGeneral Act1866,section19 and AuditDepartments guidelines onfinancialmatters; Reporting Period in relation tostockitems. with relevant policiesandprocurement guidelines that Stationery Stores isoperating incompliance have beenadequatelyconsidered andrecorded and to theprocurement andmanagement ofstockitems place inStationery Stores toensure risksrelating This auditreviewed theadequacyofcontrols in iv) to e-resources andpress monitoringintheL&RS. place governing theaward ofcontracts inrelation This auditreviewed theadequacy ofcontrols in iii) in relation tocontract extensions. relevant policiesandprocurement guidelines isoperating incompliancewith that theService have beenadequatelyconsidered andrecorded and place toensure risksrelating tocontract extensions This auditreviewed theadequacy ofcontrols in ii) are paidthrough theIntegra paymentsystem. relation tothecountersigningofpaymentswhich in of thesystemswhichare inplacetheService The auditreviewed theadequacyandeffectiveness i) in2016: Audit Reports The Committeeconsidered thefollowing Internal The AuditCommitteemetfourtimesduring2016. 5. Internal AuditonCountersigningProcedures Internal AuditonContract Extensions Committee ActivitiesDuring2016 Internal AuditonStationery Stores Service –eResourcesService andPress Monitoring Internal AuditontheLibrary &Research Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 143 Annual Report 2016 144 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report with theCircular. that accountingforsuchassetswasinaccordance accounted forwaspublishedin1995.Itnoted Circular governing how historic/heritageassetsare Fixed AssetsPolicy. The Committeenotedthatthe The FinanceUnitpresented detailsoftheupdated viii) tolerance forsecuritystandards. andnotedthechangeinrisk Policy fortheService received detailsontheupdatedRiskManagement and inatimelymanner. The Committeealso management activitiesare carriedouteffectively Management Committeewhichensures thatrisk ismonitored andcontrolledService by theRisk reports. The riskmanagementprocess inthe The Committeeconsidered tworiskmaterialisation vii) previous InternalAuditreports. recommendations arisingfrom implementation ofinternalaudit in OctoberandDecemberregarding the The InternalAuditUnitpresented reports vi) of theOireachtas Commission. ontheaccountsofHouses C&AG Report The AuditCommitteeconsidered the2015 v) considered bytheCommittee: Other reports Audit Reports Comptroller andAuditorGeneral (C&AG) recommendations Implementation ofInternalAudit Risk Management Fixed AssetsPolicy and AssembliesinIreland andtheUK. a group ofHeadsInternalAudit ofParliaments InternalAuditnetwork)andin (a publicservice intheHeadsofInternalAuditForum participates The CommitteenotedthattheInternalAuditUnit 6. discharge abill. restricting thetimeperiodinwhichadebtoristo revised credit policywouldbedeveloped further The Committeewasinformedthatinearly2017a overall contextofthebarandrestaurant receipts. that theamountinvolved wasvery smallinthe of recovery ofthesumsdue. The Committeenoted incomplete. Overall there wasnorealistic prospect it wasacknowledged thattherecords were made torecover thesumsduebutinsomecases hadbeen sums duewasremote. Aseriesofefforts historical balances,thelikelihoodofrecovery ofthe out over atwoyear period.Inthecaseofcertain review ofalloutstandingbalanceshadbeencarried The Committeenotedthatacompleteretrospective Management Unitgave detailsonthisproposal. Members’ UnitandtheFacilities Services x) management letter. arose thatneededtobecommunicatedby wayofa and AuditorGeneral’s foundthatnoissues Report The CommitteewasinformedthattheComptroller ix) Restaurant andBar Write-off ofhistoricalbalancesinthe Ciste PinseanAccount2015 Audit Networks Representation onInternal Appendix VIII 22 21 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 No. Bills InitiatedintheHousesofOireachtas in2016 2016 [Seanad][PMB] Local Government (Amendment)(No. 2)Bill Regulation ofDrones Bill2016[Seanad][PMB] OfficeBill2016 National Shared Services [Seanad] [PMB] and Related Rights) (Amendment)Bill2016 National Anthem(Protection ofCopyright Health Disclosure Bill2016[PMB] Síochána(Amendment)Bill2016[PMB] Garda Statute LawRevision Bill2016[Seanad] Facility Agreement) Bill2016 (changed from) SingleResolution Board (Loan Intergovernmental Obligations)Bill2016 European Unionand Finance (Certain Local Government (Amendment)Bill2016[PMB] –SouthInterconnector Bill2016[PMB] North (Amendment) Bill2016[PMB] Motor Vehicle (DutiesandLicences) Energy Bill2016 [Seanad] Information Systems) Bill2016 Criminal Justice(OffencesRelating to Health (MiscellaneousProvisions) Bill2016 [PMB] Competition (Amendment)Bill2016[Seanad] [PMB] Pension Fund (Prohibition ofLevies) Bill2016 Flood Insurance Bill2016 [PMB] Shannon River AgencyBill2016[PMB] [PMB] River ShannonManagementAgencyBill2016 Road Traffic Bill2016[Seanad] Heritage Bill2016[Seanad] 2016 Planning andDevelopment (Amendment)Bill Bill Title 43 42 41 40 39 38 37 36 35 34 33 32 31 30 29 28 27 26 25 24 23 No. Paternity Leave andBenefitBill2016 Water (Amendment)Bill2016 Services Seanad Bill2016[Seanad][PMB] Companies (Amendment)Bill2016[PMB] Banded HoursContract Bill2016[PMB] Bill 2016[PMB] Equal Status (EqualityProofing) (Amendment) Onshore Petroleum Bill2016[PMB] Prohibition oftheExploration andExtraction of (Amendment) Bill2016[PMB] Petroleum andOtherMinerals Development Bill2016[PMB] Rent Certainty (Amendment) Bill2016[PMB] Health (Pricing andSupplyofMedicalGoods) Corporate Manslaughter Bill2016[PMB] (Right toaHome)Bill2016[PMB] AmendmentoftheConstitution Thirty-fifth [PMB] (Water inPublic Ownership)(No. 2)Bill2016 AmendmentoftheConstitution Thirty-fifth Electoral (Amendment) Bill2016[PMB] Parole Bill2016[PMB] [PMB] Statistics (1916 RisingCentenary)Bill2016 [PMB] (Economic, SocialandCultural Rights)Bill2016 AmendmentoftheConstitution Thirty-fifth (Water inPublic Ownership)Bill2016[PMB] AmendmentoftheConstitution Thirty-fifth (Amendment) Bill2016[PMB] andEnforcement)Central Bank(Supervision 2016 [PMB] Central Bank(Variable Bill Rate Mortgages) Adoption (Amendment)Bill2016 Bill Title Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 145 Annual Report 2016 146 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 64 63 62 61 60 59 58 57 56 55 54 53 52 51 50 49 48 47 46 45 44 No. [Seanad] [PMB] Corporate Manslaughter(No. 2)Bill2016 [Seanad] [PMB] Electoral (Amendment)(Voting at16)Bill2016 [Seanad] [PMB] Related Rights(Amendment) (No. 2)Bill2016 National AnthemProtection ofCopyright and [PMB] Assets)Bill2016 (Public Ownership ofCertain AmendmentoftheConstitution Thirty-fifth Health (Amendment)Bill2016[Seanad] Electoral (Amendment)(No. 2)Bill2016 Education (AdmissiontoSchools)Bill2016 (Divorce) Bill2016[PMB] AmendmentoftheConstitution Thirty-fifth [PMB] (Repeal oftheEighthAmendment)Bill2016 AmendmentoftheConstitution Thirty-fifth 2016 [PMB] Housing (SaleofLocal AuthorityHousing)Bill Au Pair PlacementBill2016[PMB] Resolution Corporation) Bill2016 Commission ofInvestigation (IrishBank [Seanad] Proceeds ofCrime(Amendment)Bill2016 Officers) Bill2016[PMB] Síochána(AppointmentofSenior Garda Registration of Wills Bill2016[Seanad][PMB] Residency Status) Bill2016[Seanad][PMB] Immigration (Reform) (Regularisation of [PMB] Equal Status (AdmissiontoSchools)Bill2016 (Amendment) Bill2016[PMB] Industrial Relations (RighttoAccess) 2016 [PMB] (Common Ownershipof Water Resources) Bill AmendmentoftheConstitution Thirty-fifth [PMB] Public Holidays(LánaPoblachta) Bill2016 [Seanad] Misuse ofDrugs(Amendment)Bill2016 Bill Title 87 86 85 84 83 82 81 80 79 78 77 76 75 74 73 72 71 70 69 68 67 66 65 No. Prevention Bill2016 [Seanad][PMB] Micro-plastic andMicro-bead Pollution Bill2016 Courts (Neutrality) Bill2016[PMB] AmendmentoftheConstitution Thirty-Fifth (Amendment) Bill2016[PMB] Health andSocialCare Professionals Finance Bill2016 [PMB] Judicial AppointmentsCommissionBill2016 (No.Rent 2)Bill2016[Seanad][PMB] Certainty Bill 2016[Seanad][PMB] Protection Hours) ofEmployment (Uncertain Companies (Accounting)Bill2016 Community Bill2016[Seanad][PMB] Recognition ofIrishSignLanguagefortheDeaf Wildlife (Amendment)Bill2016 [PMB] Cannabis forMedicinalUseRegulation Bill2016 2016 [PMB] Criminal Justice(Aggravation by Prejudice) Bill Imprisonment) Bill2016[Seanad] Criminal Justice(SuspendedSentencesof [Seanad] Armed Conflict(HagueConvention) Bill2016 Protection ofCultural intheEvent Property of [PMB] Coroners (Amendment) Bill2016[Seanad] 2) Bill2016[PMB] Planning andDevelopment (Amendment)(No. inSchoolsBill2016[PMB] Equal Participation Wind Turbine Regulation Bill2016[PMB] Broadcasting (Amendment)Bill2016[PMB] [PMB] Civil Law(MissingPersons) Bill2016[Seanad] Social HousingBill2016[PMB] Bill 2016[PMB] Scheme(Amendment) Nursing HomeSupport Bill Title 109 108 107 106 105 104 103 102 101 100 99 98 97 96 95 94 93 92 91 90 89 88 No. Bill 2016[Seanad][PMB] Occupational BenefitScheme) (Amendment) Pensions (EqualPension Treatment in Bail (Amendment)Bill2016 Retirement Age)Bill2016[PMB] Employment Equality(AbolitionofMandatory [PMB] (Apology andExoneration) Bill2016[Seanad] SexualOffences Convictions forCertain [PMB] Public BodiesReview AgencyBill2016[Seanad] Bill 2016[PMB] Intoxicating Liquor(Breweries andDistilleries) Fossil Fuel Divestment Bill2016[PMB] Prohibition ofMicro-Plastics Bill2016[PMB] 2016 [PMB] Commissions ofInvestigation (Amendment)Bill [Seanad] Adoption (Informationand Tracing) Bill2016 Secure Rents and Tenancies Bill2016[PMB] Authority ofDublin)Bill2016[PMB] Local Government (Mayor andRegional Social andAffordable HousingBill2016[PMB] (Amendment) Bill2016[PMB] Residential InstitutionsStatutory Fund Bill 2016[PMB] Prisons (SolitaryConfinement)(Amendment) Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill2016 of Hydrocarbon) Bill2016[PMB] Prohibition ofHydraulic Fracturing (Extraction Residential Tenancies Bill2016[Seanad] Planning andDevelopment (Housing)and Social Welfare Bill2016 Inventions) Bill2016[Seanad] Knowledge Development of Box (Certification Bill 2016[Seanad][PMB] Health (Amendment)(Professional HomeCare) [PMB] (Directly ElectedMayor ofDublin)Bill2016 Local Government Reform (Amendment) Bill Title 121 120 119 118 117 116 115 114 113 112 111 110 No. Criminal Justice(Victims ofCrime)Bill2016 (No. 2)Bill2016 Courts Disability (MiscellaneousProvisions) Bill2016 (Amendment) Bill2016 Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Bill 2016[PMB] Measures inthe Public Interest) (Amendment) Residential Tenancies (HousingEmergency Anti-Evictions Bill2016[PMB] [PMB] Employment Equality (Amendment)Bill2016 Famine MemorialDayBill2016[PMB] [PMB] Mental Health(Amendment)Bill2016[Seanad] [PMB] Civil Law(MissingPersons) (No. 2)Bill2016 Hallmarking (Amendment)Bill2016 Appropriation Bill2016 Bill Title Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 147 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 2016

Appendix IX

148 Bills Passed by the Houses of the Oireachtas in 2016

Act No Act Title

1 Credit Guarantee (Amendment) Act 2016

2 Horse Racing Ireland Act 2016

3 Public Transport Act 2016

4 Criminal Justice (Spent Convictions and Certain Disclosures) Act 2016

5 Electoral (Amendment) Act 2016

6 Health (Amendment) Act 2016

7 Water Services (Amendment) Act 2016

8 Proceeds of Crime (Amendment) Act 2016

9 Misuse of Drugs (Amendment) Act 2016

10 Commission of Investigation (Irish Bank Resolution Corporation) Act 2016

11 Paternity Leave and Benefit Act 2016

12 Energy Act 2016 Annual Report 2016 13 Finance (Certain European Union and Intergovernmental Obligations) Act 2016

14 National Tourism Development Authority (Amendment) Act 2016

15 Social Welfare Act 2016

16 Appropriation Act 2016

17 Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Act 2016

18 Finance Act 2016

19 Health Insurance (Amendment) Act 2016

20 Statute Law Revision Act 2016

21 Road Traffic Act 2016

22 Courts Act 2016 22. (1) Annual Report Section 22provides asfollows: the period1January2016to31December2016. coversAct 2014(the“2014Act”),thisannualreport Pursuant tosection22oftheProtected Disclosures Appendix X 2016 AnnualReport undertheProtected Disclosures Act matters specifiedinsubsection(2). containing informationrelating tothe identification ofthepersonsinvolved year inaformwhichdoesnot enablethe in relation totheimmediatelypreceding not laterthan30Juneineachyear areport Every publicbodyshallprepare andpublish (2) Those mattersare – (c) such otherinformation relating to (c) the action(ifany)takeninresponse(b) the numberofprotected disclosures (a) the Ministerfrom timetotime. action takenasmayberequested by those protected disclosures andthe to thoseprotected disclosures, and made tothepublicbody, fair procedures havingbeenafforded toallparties. the principlesofconstitutionalandnatural justice, with theService’s interim guidelinesandinlinewith initial screening hadbeencarriedoutinaccordance This reviewand undertaken. determinedthatthe A review ofonescreening decisionwasrequested wasnecessary. actionby theService that nofurther should beconsidered asprotected disclosures and the screening foundthatnoneofthedisclosures disclosures received were screened. Ineachcase In accordance withtheinterimprocedures, all for thepurposesof2014Act. the interimprocedures adoptedby theService anddealtwithinaccordance with the Service Four protected disclosures were received by Protected Disclosures in2016 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 149 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 2016

Appendix XI

150 Commission Meetings and Attendance 2016

The table shows the number of meetings held by the Commission and its committees as well as attendance of individual Commission members. The Commission held six meetings in 2016: it held two meetings in January prior to the dissolution of the Dáil and four meetings over the period July to December when the new Commission was established following the elections to both Houses. The Finance Committee held three meetings in 2016 over the period July to December.

Members Meetings January 2016 Members Meetings July to December 2016 Commission Finance Committee Commission Finance Committee Deputy Seán Barrett 2/2 – Ceann Comhairle Deputy Seán 3/4 – (Chairperson) Ó Fearghaíl, Ceann Comhairle Senator Paddy Burke 2/2 0/0 (Chairperson) Cathaoirleach of the Seanad (Deputy Senator Denis 4/4 3/3 Chairperson) O’Donovan, Cathaoirleach of Annual Report 2016 Mr. Peter Finnegan 1/1 – the Seanad (Deputy Secretary General Chairperson) Deputy Bernard Durkan 2/2 0/0 Mr. Peter Finnegan 4/4 – Deputy John Browne 1/2 – Secretary General

Senator Marc 1/2 0/0 Deputy Joe Carey 4/4 – MacSharry Senator Paudie Coffey 3/4 1/3 Deputy Olivia Mitchell 0/2 0/0 Senator Gerard P. 3/4 3/3 Deputy Dan Neville 1/2 0/0 Craughwell

Senator Tom Sheahan 1/2 – Deputy Timmy Dooley 3/4 3/3

Áodhán Ó Ríordáin TD1 0/0 – Deputy Martin Heydon 4/4 3/3 (Minister of State) Deputy Catherine 4/4 – Deputy Brendan Ryan2 0/0 – Murphy

Deputy Jack Wall 1/2 0/0 Deputy Louise O’Reilly 4/4 1/3

Senator John Whelan 1/2 – Senator Ned O’Sullivan 3/4 –

1 Served as Minister’s representative on the Commission from 3 February 2016 to 26 February 2016 pursuant to section 9(2) of the Commission Acts

2 Served as Minister’s representative on the Commission from 14 April 2016 to 30 June 2016 pursuant to section 8(2) of the Commission Acts businesses within thoseorganisations are entities are governed, asdistinctfrom theway governance isconcerned withthewaycorporate organisation isdirected and controlled. Corporate Corporate Governance –thesystemby whichan the Oireachtas Service. the parliamentaryadministration, theHousesof Houses oftheOireachtas andtheirmembersby which oversees theprovision tothe ofservices Oireachtas Commissionisthegoverning body Commission –theHousesof February andJuly. for theplenarysessionandusuallymeetingin Chairpersons ofCommitteestoprepare theagenda plenary sessionispreceded by ameetingof in plenarysessionusuallyMayandOctober. Each European Parliament. Eachyear COSAC meetstwice European affairsaswell asrepresentatives ofthe the European UnionMemberStates dealingwith of thecommitteesnationalparliaments dans les Affaires Communautaires) is the Conference COSAC –(Conférence desOrganes Spécialisés n n n are three typesofCOM documents: documents oftheEuropean Commission. There COM Documents–COM documentsare working Appendix XII implementation of existing EU lawsorpolicies. implementation ofexistingEU analyseandevaluate– thesereports the ontheimplementationofpolicy Reports consultative documents Communications –theseare pre-legislative Proposals forlegislation Glossary of TermsGlossary and records management. with responsibility forfreedom ofinformation(FOI) also hasacorporate informationmanagementrole Oireachtas andmembersoftheHouses. The L&RS theworkofHouses tosupport services Research delivers informationandresearch Service Library &Research (L&RS)–theLibrary & Service and objective ofaproposed Private Member’s Bill. the instructionsofmembersregarding thepurpose Legal drafters, whoare qualifiedlawyers, acton the Oireachtas indrafting Private Members’ Bills. available tomembersoftheHouses expertise Legislative –Legal Drafting Service drafting information exchange forparliamentarystaff. a channelforinter-parliamentary cooperation and Research andDocumentation. actsas The ECPRD –TheEuropeanECPRD Centre forParliamentary Reform. reforms proposed by thesub-CommitteeonDáil and 25thSeanadintheimplementationof allocation ofcommitteechairsinthe32ndDáil positions. The D’Hondtsystemwasusedforthe distributionofparliamentary for theproportional D’Hondt System –amathematicalformulaused of thecompany. with theowners andothersinterested intheaffairs interaction withtopmanagement,andrelationships the issuesfacingboards ofdirectors, suchasthe managed. Corporate governance addresses Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 151 Annual Report 2016 152 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report be minimisedorresponded toappropriately. and mitigatingthethreats sothatpotentialriskcan Risk managementinvolves proactively identifying an event occurringandtheimpactifit does occur. objectives” 3000).Itimpliesthelikelihoodof (ISO on Risk –isdefinedas“theeffectofuncertainty Order Papers). Proceedings, Standing Orders, Rulings oftheChair, the JournalOffice(maintainingJournalsof Amendments toBills,ActsoftheOireachtas) and processing oflegislationthrough theHouses–Bills, Questions, motions),theBillsOffice(managing Offices –theQuestionsOffice(Parliamentary the Committees’ Secretariat andtheProcedural provided aswell asservices by clerking services) of theChairandparliamentaryconventions (e.g. of andcompliancewithStanding Orders, Rulings the HousesandtheirCommitteesonapplication those concernedwithadvicetotheChairpersonsof Procedural –procedural are Services services case forapproval toproceed with aproject. PID Commission asappropriate. whichmaythenbereferred tothe importance, matters ofkeystrategic, operational orfinancial of theMC. The MCmeetstoconsideranddecideon Seanad, andthechairsofthree sub-Committees Secretary, theClerkof Parliamentary Services, Corporate andMembers’ theAssistant Services, of theSecretary General, theAssistantSecretary, consists the HousesofOireachtas Service The MC–theManagementCommitteeof – Project InitiationDocumenti.e.abusiness Commission policies. day-to-day basisandforimplementing ona Is responsible formanagingtheService the Secretary General andClerkoftheDáilwho Oireachtas andtheirmembers.Itisheadedby administrative totheHousesof services bodythatprovides isthepublicservice Service – The Service The HousesoftheOireachtas ensure thatrequirements are keptuptodate. process andincludesnecessaryadjustmentsto functions isdeterminedfollowing anannualreview requirements foreachbusinessunittocarryoutits Statement ofResources –thestaffingresource Affairs, etc. e.g. theJointCommitteeson Transport, Foreign Government andrelated policyareas Department scrutinyoftheworkrelevantundertake Government The sectoral Departments. committees of membersoneorbothHouseswhich“shadow” Sectoral Committees–madeup a recurrence. was andwhathasbeenlearnedinorder toprevent what happened,whyittheimpact person responsible isrequired on toformallyreport if ariskdoescomeaboutandcausedifficulties,the –asystemwhere, Risk MaterialisationReporting

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