Assembly Committee Agrees Governance Arrangements With Northern Ireland Audit Office

The Audit Committee has today agreed with the Comptroller & Auditor General a Memorandum of Understanding on corporate governance arrangements, transparency and accountability at the Northern Ireland Audit Office (NIAO). 

The Memorandum builds on the existing governance and transparency arrangements in the NIAO, recognising that while the Comptroller & Auditor General and the NIAO are independent of government they should maintain systems of governance and internal controls consistent with best practice. It also underlines that where appropriate they should be accountable and subject to Assembly oversight.

Audit Committee Chairperson, Danny Kinahan MLA, said “The Committee is pleased to agree this Memorandum which underlines the importance of transparency and the need to ensure the effective management of public funds. We believe that, crucially, this agreement will provide the Assembly and the general public with increased confidence in the governance and accountability of the NIAO”.  

The Comptroller and Auditor General, Mr Kieran Donnelly, said “The NIAO is committed to adhering to the highest standards of corporate governance and accountability. This new Memorandum with the Assembly’s Audit Committee underpins our commitment to openness and to promoting and securing value for money in our use of public funds”.

ENDS