CSO-EPA Liaison Group

Background

The CSO-EPA Liaison Group was established in 2013 as a formal, high-level mechanism for consultation and communication between both organisations when a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the CSO and EPA. Prior to that, there were annual meetings since 2009. There is regular contact on an ongoing basis between staff in both organisations mainly in relation to environment, waste, and demography statistics.

Membership

The membership includes:

- the EPA and CSO Liaison Officers;

- the EPA Programme Manager for Climate, Research, & Resources Unit;

- the CSO Assistant Director General for Macro-economic statistics;

- the CSO Director for Business statistics;

- CSO staff from Environment Statistics and Accounts Division; and

- EPA staff working on waste statistics, indicators, and other statistics-related areas.

Terms of Reference

The Liaison Group may refer certain matters of cooperation to technical sub-groups or make other arrangements to examine matters of common interest and technical exchange. Such groups may examine matters of a technical, legal or administrative nature where co-operation may provide opportunities for efficiencies and effectiveness in relation to mutual and respective roles. Such working groups as may be established from time to time will operate under an agreed Terms of Reference or protocol and report to the Liaison Group. Technical exchange protocols (including Officer of Statistics Mandates as may be granted) will be agreed on specific areas of common interest such as climate change data and waste data, and these will be held in electronic format by the two Liaison Officers. All technical exchange protocols will be reviewed annually, with revisions - where proposed – to be notified to the Liaison Officers for joint approval, and recorded at the Annual Liaison Meeting.

Frequency of Meetings

The Liaison Group meets at least annually.