{"id":4863,"date":"2018-12-30T10:59:12","date_gmt":"2018-12-30T10:59:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/legalblog.ie\/state-agencies\/"},"modified":"2022-08-28T14:29:33","modified_gmt":"2022-08-28T14:29:33","slug":"state-agencies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/state-agencies\/","title":{"rendered":"State Agencies"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_63 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title \" >Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/state-agencies\/#Overview_I\" title=\"Overview I\">Overview I<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/state-agencies\/#Overview_II\" title=\"Overview II\">Overview II<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/state-agencies\/#Establishment\" title=\"Establishment\">Establishment<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/state-agencies\/#Financing\" title=\"Financing\">Financing<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/state-agencies\/#Accounting_for_Functions\" title=\"Accounting for Functions\">Accounting for Functions<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Overview_I\"><\/span>Overview I<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>There are a significant number of State agencies and bodies which perform various governmental functions and services.\u00a0 State agencies deal with a wide variety of matters.\u00a0 They may be State-sponsored companies or bodies established by law.<\/p>\n<p>There are both commercial and non-commercial State-sponsored bodies.\u00a0 Commercial State-sponsored bodies are or are equivalent to commercial businesses.\u00a0 Some have been sold by way in the past, such as Telecom Eireann.<\/p>\n<p>There are several hundred State agencies. Three-quarters of state bodies are non-commercial. \u00a0\u00a0North-South implementation bodies implement policies agreed at North-South Ministerial Council. \u00a0This includes food safety, promotion, trade and business development, North-South language body and the Waterways Agency.<\/p>\n<p>Commercial State-sponsored bodies include entities such as ESB, Bord Gais, Dublin Bus, RTE.\u00a0 Non-commercial include IDA, Enterprise Ireland.\u00a0 There are advisory bodies such as NESC and the ESRI.\u00a0 There are regulatory bodies such as the Commission for Energy Regulation, Aviation Regulation, Veterinary Council and Medical Council.\u00a0 There are statutory bodies such as the Director of Public Prosecutions.<\/p>\n<p>State bodies\u2019 powers and authority are defined by the legislation under which they are established. Their staff are not civil servants and their status is provided for by the relevant legislation.\u00a0 Generally, the relevant Minister with the consent of the Department of Finance appoints the members of the officer board of the bodies. \u00a0The bodies operate under the general control of its board or its equivalent. There is usually a Chief Executive Officer, other officers and employees.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Overview_II\"><\/span>Overview II<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Many State bodies have been established to deak with specific issues over time.\u00a0 Regulatory agencies regulate particular areas. They may conduct research, provide information, promote economic development or pursue some statutory objective. \u00a0Agencies are generally free to adopt the appropriate structures for their duties.<\/p>\n<p>State agencies have been reorganised, amalgamated and changed over time. \u00a0Some have been transferred back into government departments.<\/p>\n<p>Commercial state-sponsored bodies provide goods and services in the marketplace.\u00a0 Originally, many were organised as monopolies where private sector investment did not have the resources or ability to perform. \u00a0Aer Lingus, Bord na Mona, Bord Gais, An Post, ESB, Irish Life Assurance Company were established in this way. Irish Life Assurance company was set as a state rescue. \u00a0ICC and ACC to provide finance in particular sectors.<\/p>\n<p>Non-commercial State-sponsored bodies provide activities and services in a wide range of areas.\u00a0 They have been set up over time as new areas or competences are developed.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Establishment\"><\/span>Establishment<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>State agencies are established in various ways.\u00a0 Sometimes a statutory corporation is set up by legislation.\u00a0 Its powers and functions are set out in the legislation. Bodies may be set up by legislation or statutory instrument. In other cases, a public or private company is formed. \u00a0The formation of the company is provided for in the legislation. In the health sector, there is provision for the establishment of corporate bodies by ministerial order.<\/p>\n<p>Boards are generally part-time. \u00a0There may be a full-time Chief Executive. \u00a0The constitution of the Board is usually set out in the legislation.\u00a0 There are usually 10 to 12 Board members. There is a government policy to promote a minimum percentage representation of women on State boards.<\/p>\n<p>Typically, State-sponsored bodies have a board of directors which is accountable to the Government Department. Ministers generally appoint Boards of directors in their full discretion.\u00a0 Sometimes external bodies nominate representatives from particular industries, \u00a0groups relevant to the activity concerned.<\/p>\n<p>Legislation exists which provides for worker representation on certain State Boards. There is provision for an election for the employee representatives. On occasions, senior officials in government departments are appointed to Boards.\u00a0 The civil servant would not normally report to the minister or the department.\u00a0 His role is as an ordinary Board member.<\/p>\n<p>Fees of the order \u20ac10,000 to \u20ac25,000 are payable in respect of the positions.\u00a0 These are not payable to civil servants.\u00a0 The Department of Finance has overall responsibility for deciding conditions of remuneration for board members.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Financing\"><\/span>Financing<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Non-commercial bodies may be part or wholly financed by income from their activities.\u00a0 They may be financed by borrowing from banks or from other institutions.\u00a0 The Exchequer may provide loans, equity or subsidies.<\/p>\n<p>In the case of statutory corporations, there is usually on a cap on the capital, which is determined by the legislation.\u00a0 There are generally limits for loans and any increase requires further legislation.\u00a0 The shareholder in statutory corporations is usually the Minister for Finance.<\/p>\n<p>State-sponsored bodies are generally required to operate on a commercial basis.\u00a0 However, in some instances, subventions may be permitted such as in the case of CIE.<\/p>\n<p>In some cases, the government issues a loan.\u00a0 The State may guarantee the lending.\u00a0 The consent of the Minister for Finance will be required.\u00a0 Commercial State-sponsored bodies may pay dividends to the State.\u00a0 Dividend policy varies.<\/p>\n<p>Non-commercial State agencies and bodies employ approximately 20,000 people.\u00a0 They are generally providing expenditure and State agencies is approximately \u20ac7 billion.<\/p>\n<p>All State bodies prepare accounts in some cases certified by the Controller and Auditor General or in other cases, especially commercial bodies, by private sector auditors.\u00a0 Accounts are submitted to the relevant department.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Accounting_for_Functions\"><\/span>Accounting for Functions<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The Governmental Department responsible for the State agency will be set out in the relevant legislation.\u00a0 Certain powers may not, be exercisable without the consent of the requisite minister. Reports and information may be required to be made to the Department. \u00a0Ministers may maintain contact with the chairpersons and may meet senior representatives from time to time.<\/p>\n<p>State bodies generally present annual report and accounts to the Oireachtas. The minister does not answer questions in relation to commercial matters.\u00a0 When the annual estimates are presented, the Dail can comment on the affairs of the bodies concerned in considering the relevant estimates.<\/p>\n<p>The Controller and Auditor General carries out an audit of most non-commercial State-sponsored bodies.\u00a0 This can also cover efficiency and the management effectiveness of the body. \u00a0These reports are considered by the Public Accounts Committee of the Oireachtas.<\/p>\n<!--themify_builder_content-->\n<div id=\"themify_builder_content-4863\" data-postid=\"4863\" class=\"themify_builder_content themify_builder_content-4863 themify_builder tf_clear\">\n    <\/div>\n<!--\/themify_builder_content-->\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Overview I There are a significant number of State agencies and bodies which perform various governmental functions and services.\u00a0 State agencies deal with a wide variety of matters.\u00a0 They may be State-sponsored companies or bodies established by law. There are both commercial and non-commercial State-sponsored bodies.\u00a0 Commercial State-sponsored bodies are or are equivalent to commercial [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[201],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4863"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4863"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4863\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13219,"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4863\/revisions\/13219"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4863"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4863"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4863"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}