RHI-33 Response Accepted Self-assessed

HMT Communication Protocol

Recommendation

The protocol for relations with HMT, namely that the Northern Ireland Department of Finance must be the sole conduit of formal communication, should be reinforced and widely understood across the Northern Ireland Civil Service. The Department of Finance, for its part, must recognise that its unique relationship with HMT places on its officials a responsibility to be alert to, and act expeditiously upon, the requirements of all other Departments in matters relating to HMT; and to communicate clearly and effectively with those Departments as to HMT's position in respect of the spending Department's financial envelope.

Published Evidence Summary
The following publicly available evidence relates to this recommendation:
The Department of Finance accepted this recommendation in October 2021, stating that a protocol for engagement with HM Treasury (HMT) was issued (Official government response, 2021-10-07). The Department of Finance keeps information sharing and knowledge transfer protocols under review, engaging with HMT and other departments on their effectiveness, and internal audit arrangements have been confirmed with reporting to boards established (Official government response, 2021-10-07). The NIAO's Second Progress Report (October 2024) assessed this recommendation as "Implemented," confirming that the HM Treasury communication protocol has been reinforced, with the Department of Finance operating as the sole conduit.
How was this assessed?
Assessed by gemini-2.5-flash on 24 Mar 2026
Checked data held on this site (government responses, progress updates, independent evidence)
External sources searched: www.gov.uk, www.finance-ni.gov.uk, www.legislation.gov.uk, hansard.parliament.uk
Jurisdiction
Northern Ireland
Response
Accepted
Accepted Department of Finance
07 Oct 2021

[Note: The NI Executive responded to recommendations 19-23, 29-33 together as a group under the 'Governance and Financial Controls' theme.] Accepted in full. Protocol for engagement with HMT issued. DoF keeps the information sharing and knowledge transfer protocols under review, engaging with HMT and departments on their effectiveness. Internal audit arrangements confirmed; reporting to boards established.

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Progress Timeline
Official Report
15 Oct 2024

NIAO Second Progress Report (October 2024): Implemented. HM Treasury communication protocol reinforced. DoF confirmed as sole conduit and operating as described.

Source
Source
Inquiry RHI Inquiry
Report The Report of the Independent Public Inquiry into the Non-Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) Scheme 13 Mar 2020
View Source
Responsible Bodies
Department of Finance Primary
Themes & Tags
Inter-agency benefit data sharing Governance Hm Treasury Communication Protocol
Recommendation age 6.0 yrs
Last formal update 525 days ago