This document is the result of systematic evaluation and analysis of international best practice (see list of Supporting Documents) and comprehensive discussion undertaken by a working group of the Irish Council for Bioethics. It is based on requirements for ethical review established in international guidelines and provides guidance on general standards and principles that should be considered by Research Ethics Committees when reviewing research proposals. This guidance is intended to facilitate and support efficient and effective ethical review of proposals. This document should be viewed as a basis upon which Research Ethics Committees can establish and develop their standard operating procedures.

Impartial ethical review is designed to maintain ethical standards of practice in research, to protect participants in research and research workers from harm or exploitation, to preserve the subject's rights, including the right to privacy and to provide reassurance to the public that all of this is being done. In promoting these goals Research Ethics Committees should be mindful that appropriately regulated, ethically acceptable, rigorous research benefits society as a whole. The primary task of Research Ethics Committees is the protection of the welfare and the rights of participants in research. Another important role is to facilitate and support the progress that the research community seeks to achieve.