Health Service Executive (Governance) Act 2019

Audit committee

23. The Principal Act is amended by the substitution of the following section for section 40H:

“40H. (1) As soon as practicable after the commencement of section 23 of the Health Service Executive (Governance) Act 2019, the Board shall establish an audit committee to perform the functions specified in section 40I.

(2) The audit committee shall be appointed by the Board and shall consist of—

(a) not fewer than 3 of the Board members, and

(b) subject to subsection (3), not fewer than 4 other persons who, in the opinion of the Board, have the relevant skills and experience to perform the functions of the committee, at least one of whom shall hold a professional qualification in accountancy or auditing.

(3) A person is not eligible for appointment to the audit committee pursuant to subsection (2)(b) if that person is an employee of the Executive.

(4) The Board shall designate one of the persons appointed pursuant to subsection (2)(b) to be the chairperson of the audit committee.

(5) The duration of a person’s membership of the audit committee shall be determined by the Board when appointing that person.

(6) A member of the audit committee may resign from the committee by letter addressed to the chairperson of the Board.

(7) The Board may at any time remove a member of the audit committee for stated reasons.

(8) The Minister may, with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, determine the remuneration and expenses payable under this section.

(9) The remuneration and allowances for expenses, if any, determined in accordance with subsection (8) are payable by the Executive out of funds at its disposal to a member of the audit committee.

(10) The chief executive officer shall ensure that the audit committee is provided with the necessary secretarial and other resources to enable it to perform its functions.”.