Corporate Governance

Question 1

What is governance

Answer 1

Development and implementation of structures and processes for directing and managing an organisation so that stakeholders assured the organisation is working effectively and efficiently

Question 2

What is good governance

Answer 2

Delivering priorities
Achieving objectives
Behaving with integrity
Acting in public interest

Question 3

Examples of poor governance

Answer 3

Rte
OPW
Children’s hospital

Question 4

What’s different about a public body

Answer 4

Nature of organisation
Autonomy and constraints
State is stakeholder
Risk profile and appetite
Reporting and transparency

Question 5

What’s a governance code

Answer 5

Customs
Codes then legislation

Question 6

3 examples of codes

Answer 6

Local government Governance code 2024
Charities governance code 2018
Governance code for community voluntary and charitable organisations 2016

Question 7

Name 5 principles of governance in civil service

Answer 7

1. Culture of integrity and commitment to ethics and law / mission structures
2. transparency, reporting and comms to ensure accountability / overview of roles
3. Leadership /roles, ToR
4. Robust intern control systems and performance management practices /audit, compliance framework
5. Ensures openness, effective public consultation processes and comprehensive engagement with stakeholders

Question 8

Elements of culture and ethos in civil service

Answer 8

Dept mission
Values, behaviour and culture
Structures
Internal comms process
Engagement with stakeholders
Framework review
Alignment with strategy statement

Question 9

Re transparency, reporting and comms what are core elements for civil service

Answer 9

Overview of ministerial roles and departments relationship with minister
Overview of senior management roles and responsibilities
How responsibilities assigned to dept officers under the public services management act

Question 10

Core elements of governance in terms of developing a department’s capacity in civil service

Answer 10

Purpose and ToR of management structures
Overview of governance arrangements across organisation boundaries

Question 11

Good governance re management of risks

Answer 11

Audit and assurance arrangements
Compliance framework

Question 12

What is the assurance framework

Answer 12

Minister Dail and PAC
Secretary general/Accounting Officer
Audit Committee
Central guidance
Internal audit
Risk management
Internal management
Procurement
External audit
Management board
External reports

Question 13

To ensure good governance re openness and public consultation what are elements for civil service

Answer 13

External governance and oversight under aegis of dept

Eg code of practice for the Governance of State bodies

Question 14

Corporate governance framework checklist for department

Answer 14

Dept mission
Oversight agreement
Performance delivery agreements kpis
periodic critical reviews every 5 yrs
Procurement
Climate action roadmap

Question 15

Corporate definition of culture

Answer 15

Combination of values, attitudes and behaviours manifested by company in its operations and relations with stakeholders

Question 16

Make 7 principles of local government code of governance 2024

Answer 16

1. Leadership
2. Values and behaviours
3. Structures roles and functions
4. Capacity and capability
5. Decision making
6. Stakeholder engagement Review
7. Sustainability and climate action

Question 17

Code of practice for the governance of state bodies 2016

Answer 17

Role of board
Role of chair
Role of board members
Board effectiveness
Codes of conduct ethics
Business and financial reporting
Risk management audit etc
Remuneration superannuation
Quality customer service

Question 18

What’s the role of the board

Answer 18

Strategic plan, policies and budget
Monitor review performance
Seek and receive assurance
Collective responsibility
Setting the tone

Question 19

What’s the role of a chair

Answer 19

Lead responsibility
Ensure members understand roles responsibilities
Culture of openness and debate
Information flows
Reporting

Question 20

Role of board

Answer 20

Fiduciary duties
Independent judgment
Avoid conflicts of interest
Due diligence
Brief new members
Seek and receive assurances
Annual reporting
Protected disclosures
Lobbying 2014

Question 21

Examples of board effectiveness

Answer 21

Clear understanding of roles responsibilities
Good info flows
Effective committees
Clear strategy and expectations
Good assurance arrangements
Good board exec relationship
Engaged members set the tone

Question 22

What do internal controls do

Answer 22

Provide assurance

Question 23

Objectives of risk management

Answer 23

Embed concept at all levels
Develop risk appetite awareness
Provide stakeholders with assurance that risks and uncertainty are being managed

Question 24

Internal v external audit

Answer 24

Internal - independent, focus on internal systems, risk based, provide assurance, support internal framework

External- independent, focus on financial statements, audit report

Question 25

Relations with minister oireachtas and department

Answer 25

Oversight agreements
Performance delivery agreements
Periodic reviews
Procurement

Question 26

Hot topics on governance

Answer 26

Data and AI
Organisations culture
ESG sustainability

Question 27

What is ESG

Answer 27

Environmental
Social
Governance

Question 28

Define culture

Answer 28

Values, attitudes and behaviours manifested by employees