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SCIENCE FOUNDATION IRELAND ANNUAL REPORT 2015
Statutory and Other Notices
1 . Board Members – Register of Interests
The Board operates to the best practice corporate governance principles and in accordance with the guidelines set out in the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies , as issued by the Department of Finance , both in its activities and in its use of committees . In accordance with these guidelines , Science Foundation Ireland Board Members register their interests in other undertakings with the Secretary .
2 . Ethics in Public Office Acts , 1995 and Standards in Public Offices Act , 2001
Science Foundation Ireland became subject to the Ethics in Public Office Acts 1995 and 2001 on the 1 January 2005 . Science Foundation Ireland has complied with the provisions of the Act .
3 . Freedom of Information Act , 1997 , Freedom of Information ( Amendment ) Act , 2003 and Freedom of Information Act 2014
Science Foundation Ireland became a prescribed body under the Freedom of Information Act , 1997 from 31 May 2006 . Science Foundation Ireland complies fully with the Act . Requests for information under this Act should be addressed to the FOI Officer , Science Foundation Ireland , Wilton Park House , Wilton Place , Dublin 2 or by email sfifoi @ sfi . ie
4 . Prompt Payment of Accounts Act , 1997
4 .( i ) Prompt Payment of Accounts Act , 1997
Science Foundation Ireland comes under the remit of the Prompt Payment of Accounts Act , 1997 which came into effect on 2 January 1998 , and the European Communities ( Late Payment in Commercial Transactions ) Regulations 2002 , which came into effect on the on 7 August 2002 . It is the policy of Science Foundation Ireland to ensure that all invoices are paid promptly . Specific procedures are in place that enable Science Foundation Ireland to track all invoices and ensure that payments are made before the due date .
Invoices are registered daily and electronic payments are issued as required to ensure timely payments . Management is satisfied that Science Foundation Ireland complied with the provisions of the Act in all material respects .
4 . ( ii ) Prompt payment to Suppliers
Science Foundation Ireland is committed to meeting its obligations under the 15 day Prompt Payment Rule , which came into effect on 1st July 2011 . This provision ensures that payments to suppliers in respect of all valid invoices received will be made within 15 calendar days . Science Foundation Ireland reports quarterly in the “ About SFI - Customer Service ” section of the website on the implementation of the 15 day Prompt Payments Rule .
6 . Employment Equality Acts 1998 and 2004
Science Foundation Ireland wholeheartedly supports the principle of equal opportunities in employment . It opposes all forms of discrimination on the grounds of colour , race , nationality , sexual orientation , ethnic or national origin ( and / or area of origin ), religion , gender , marital status , age or disability . Science Foundation Ireland ’ s commitment to implementing equal opportunities is reflected in its policies , practices and procedures , recruitment , promotion , training , use of nondiscriminatory language in company documents and publications . The objective is to ensure that all staff are selected and treated only on the basis of their abilities , knowledge and qualifications .
7 . Protected Disclosures Act , 2014
There were no protected disclosures made to Science Foundation Ireland in 2015 .
8 . Safety , Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005
In accordance with the above Act , Science Foundation Ireland in consultation with IDA implements appropriate measures to protect the safety , health and welfare of all employees and visitors within its offices .