Governance for Directors on State Boards

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High standards of corporate governance in State Bodies are critical to ensuring a positive contribution to the State’s overall economic efficiency, competitiveness, social cohesion and regional development. The Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies presents a framework for good corporate practice within the public sector and 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. It is applicable to commercial and non-commercial State Bodies.

This publication, created in partnership with IoD Ireland and Forvis Mazars, has been specifically developed for directors and senior leaders who currently sit or are interested in sitting on a State Board. The Handbook provides an overview of the governance framework for State Boards, as well as addressing the roles and duties of the board itself, its chair and individual members, and committees. It also addresses areas such as conducts and disclosures, reporting requirements, risk management, internal audits, and controls, and renumeration and superannuation. This publication focuses mainly, and was prepared based on, the governance requirements applicable to State Boards as detailed in the provisions of the Code, but it is acknowledged that a wider range of governance codes, companies acts, legislative provisions, government circulars and guidance notes should be considered in conjunction with the Code.