Board Governance

Strategy

The Board of Inland Fisheries Ireland is responsible for the effective and efficient delivery of the organisation’s strategic objectives, as outlined in Inland Fisheries Ireland’s Corporate Plan.

Annual Reports

The delivery of the organisations objectives against targets are reported in the Inland Fisheries Ireland annual report following the completion of the audit of the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG).

Public Sector Codes

The Board of Inland Fisheries Ireland adheres to the framework of the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies 2016 (the Code) in its application of best practice, taking account of developments in respect of oversight, reporting requirements and the appointment of Board members. The Code is based on the underlying principles of good governance: accountability, transparency, probity and a focus on the sustainable success of the organisation over the longer term. The Board ensures that the organisation adheres to the Public Spending Code in its procurement practices.

Oversight Agreement and Performance Delivery Agreement

The Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies 2016 requires that an Oversight Agreement is drawn up between Government Departments and the State bodies under their aegis. It creates procedures for the definition of responsibility and accountability within allocated budgets and other resources. This three-year oversight agreement is reviewed annually and updated as required.

The Performance Delivery Agreement is a contract between the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment and Inland Fisheries Ireland where an agreed level of service and performance is formalised resulting in the improved effectiveness and efficiency of public services.

Code of Business Conduct for the Board of Inland Fisheries Ireland

To ensure continued integrity and transparency, and to avoid public concern or loss of confidence, the Board ensures that appropriate policies are in place so that its members and the staff of Inland Fisheries Ireland take decisions objectively and that steps are taken to avoid or deal with any potential conflicts of interest, whether actual or perceived.

In this regard, the Board adheres to its ‘Code of Conduct for the Board of Inland Fisheries Ireland’

Staff adhere to Inland Fisheries Ireland’s ‘Code of Business Conduct for Employees’

Register of Interests

The Ethics in Public Office Acts 1995 to 2001 set out statutory obligations that apply to Board members and employees separately from the provisions of the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies 2016. Annually, Inland Fisheries Ireland requires the disclosure of interests by Designated Directors (Board members) and Designated Employees (Senior Management Team members). The organisation maintains a confidential register of these interests for inspection by the organisation’s external auditor, the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General.

Protected disclosures (Whistleblowing)

Whistleblowing occurs when a worker raises a concern or discloses information that relates to wrongdoing, illegal practices or unethical conduct which has come to his/her attention through work. Inland Fisheries Ireland is committed to maintaining an open culture with the highest standards of honesty and accountability where our workers can report any concerns in confidence. We encourage and enable workers to raise concerns within our workplace rather than overlooking the problem. To facilitate this, we have developed a Protected Disclosures (Whistleblowing) policy and procedure that outlines the identification of wrongdoing, how to raise a concern, who to report it to and what to expect when a disclosure has been made.

Inland Fisheries Ireland also meets its obligation as per S.22 of the Protected Disclosures Act 2014, in that it reports disclosures received on an annual basis.