Terms of Reference
Background:
- As the demand for statistics continues to grow, particularly in sensitive social domains, the case for an independent ethical review of statistical methodological developments in certain circumstances is recognised as best practice.
- The focus of the ethical review is to ensure that the rights and best interests of the survey participant and relevant CSO staff are fully protected and taken into account in the design and implementation of the survey methodology.
- To enable this practice in respect of CSO Social Surveys, an Ethics Advisory Group is being established.
Role:
The Social Statistics Ethics Advisory Group will operate as a standalone group that will advise and provide guidance to the Director General of the CSO in respect of any ethical issues it identifies in respect of any aspects of the implementation of the survey methodology that are referred to it for consideration.
The Ethics Advisory Group:
- Will convene on an ad hoc basis at the request of the Director General of the CSO
- Will consider the subject matter as set by the Director General of the CSO;
- Will consider the issue at hand, explore and examine the ethical considerations from all sides;
- May be informed by relevant experts if required
- Will present the results of its deliberations to the Director General of the CSO.
The role of the Group is solely advisory, and its advice is not binding on the Director General, who retains ultimate responsibility for statistical methodology under the provisions of Section 13 of the Statistics Act 1993.
The deliberations of the Group will remain confidential to the members of the Group. Minutes of Group meetings will be publicly available.
Membership of the group:
- The size and the membership of the Group will be decided by the Director General of the CSO.
- Secretarial support to the Group will be provided from the Executive Office of the CSO.
List of membership:
Chairperson:
- Gerry O'Hanlon, Former Director General, Central Statistics Office.
Members:
- Claire Finn, Principal Officer, Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport.
- James Williams, Former Research Professor, Economic & Social Research Institute.
- Marguerite Barry, Assistant Professor, University College Dublin.
