Who we are accountable to

We are accountable to the Irish people for the efficient and effective delivery of services in Ireland and overseas through a number of external public bodies.

Houses of the Oireachtas

The Department accounts to the Houses of the Oireachtas (legislature) in the first instance, through parliamentary questions and through these Oireachtas committees:

• Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence
• Joint Committee on European Affairs
• Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement

Deputies can ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs about any policy issues or administrative issues. The replies to parliamentary questions are published daily on the Debates section of the Oireachtas website.

Ministers regularly appear before Oireachtas committees to report on Irish and EU foreign policy, international issues and matters relating to Northern Ireland. You can find transcripts of these discussions on the Oireachtas website.

The Secretary General of the Department appears every year before the Public Accounts Committee.

Comptroller and Auditor General

Our accounts are audited and reported on by the Comptroller and Auditor General who provides independent assurance that public money is properly managed, spent to good effect and is contributing to improvements in public administration.

Audit Committee

An independent Audit Committee oversees the Department’s systems of accountability.

Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

We are accountable to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform for our progress in the implementation of the Public Service Reform Programme. The Programme aims to achieve high-performing public service organisations that will work together underpinned by values of integrity, fairness, accountability and openness.