The role of Board Committees is to assist the board carry out its functions and to make the board decision making and deliberations more efficient and effective. This briefing will discuss the role of committees and other sub‐board structures, how they should relate to the governing board/authority and issues around terms of reference, composition, levels of delegation and reporting.

Board effectiveness rests on three key features: a clear and shared focus on an organisations purpose; clarity on roles and responsibilities; and a membership with the time, experience and skills to effectively discharge their role. This provides a context within which committees should operate, also.

The issues to be addressed in the briefing will include:

• The rationale for committees and sub board structures
• IPA survey on the current position and norms in state and public bodies
• The relationship of committees with the board and senior executives
• Different roles and responsibilities of boards, committees and senior executives
• Committee composition and options to address gaps in expertise
• Interaction with other committees

Those attending the briefing are welcome to suggest other issues they would like to see addressed at the briefing by contacting Paul Turpin, pturpin@ipa.ie on or before 9 December.

The event will include three presentations. Muiris MacCarthaigh will discuss current practices and recommendations for the establishment and operation of committees in the context of Irish public bodies. Paul Turpin will discuss the results and the issues arising from the recent survey of committee structures and membership carried out for the Forum. Sean Quigley will draw on his recent research on audit committees to discuss what value these and other committees can bring to an organisation.

The three speakers are:
Muiris MacCarthaigh Research Officer with the IPA is a leading expert on state agencies, administrative reform, accountability regimes and public service values.
Sean Quigley Head of Resources the Courts Service is responsible for all financial activities of the Courts and for risk management, procurement, training and strategic planning
Paul Turpin IPA Governance Specialist has advised on the roles and responsibilities of governing boards, strategy preparation, and audit and risk management.