Written Answers - Departmental Bodies.
David Stanton
Question:
64
Mr. Stanton
asked the
Taoiseach
the title, role and composition of all task forces, review groups, advisory bodies and any other agencies operating under the aegis of his Department; the date of establishment of each body; and the reports, if any, published by each group in the past 12 months.
[24875/98]
The following is the information sought by the Deputy.
The National Centre for Partnership Board
Established: May 1997.
Role: Promotion of partnership in both the public and private sectors, monitoring developments, technical assistance and support to organisations involved in developing partnership arrangements, dissemination of best practice and training for management, union, employer and workplace representatives.
Composition: Evelyn Owens (Chairperson); Peter Cassells, ICTU; Mary Doyle, Department of the Taoiseach; John Dunne, IBEC; Paul Haran, Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment; John Hurley, Department of Finance; Two Joint Directors: John O'Dowd and Jim O'Neill.
Reports published in the last 12 months: none.
SMI Implementation Grop
Established: July 1997
Role: To give renewed impetus to the change programme within the Civil Service and to ensure that change happens on the ground quickly. It reports to Government, through the co-ordinating group, periodically.
Composition: Mr. Paddy Teahon, Secretary General, Department of the Taoiseach (Chair); Ms Margaret Hayes, Secretary General, Department of Tourism, Sport and Recreation; Mr. John Hurley, Secretary General (PSMD), Department of Finance; Mr. John Loughrey, Secretary General, Department of Public Enterprise; Mr. Eddie Sullivan, Secretary General, Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs; Mr. Paddy Mullarkey, Secretary General, Department of Finance; Ms Catherine Treacy, Chief Executive/Registrar of Deeds and Titles, Land Registry and Registry of Deeds; Mr. Paul Haran, Secretary General, Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment; Mr. Jerry O'Dwyer, Secretary General, Department of Health and Children; Mr. Eric Embleton, Assistant Secretary, CMOD, Department of Finance.
Reports published in the last 12 months: none published, but the SMI Implementation Group's reports are disseminated throughout the Civil Service.
SMI Co-ordinating Group
Established: May 1996
Role: The SMI Co-ordinating Group was published to oversee the implementation of the recommendations made in the reportDelivering Better Government — A Programme of Change for the Irish Civil Service which was published in May 1996. The group is made up of senior civil servants as well as of representatives from the social partners and was set up with the following terms of reference:
(i) To oversee the implementation of the Government's programme for change in the Civil Service;
(ii) To validate reviews of particular Programmes as requested by Government; and
(iii) To report regularly to Government on progress.
The role of the co-ordinating group was redefined following the Government decision to establish the implementation group. The co-ordinating group's role may now essentially be seen as one of quality control, bringing the combined expertise of the group's membership to bear on progress in implementingDelivering Better Government.
Composition: Mr. Paddy Teahon, Secretary General, Department of the Taoiseach (Chair); Mr. A. D. Barry, Chairman, CRH; Mr. Kevin Duffy, Assistant General Secretary, Irish Congress of Trade Unions; Mr. John Dunne, Director General, Irish Business and Employers Confederation; Ms Carmel Foley, Director of Consumer Affairs; Ms Margaret Hayes, Secretary General, Department of Tourism, Sport and Recreation; Mr. John Hurley, Secretary General (Public Service Management Development), Department of Finance; Dr. Caroline Hussey, Registrar, UCD; Ms Noreen Kearney, Lecturer in Social Studies, TCD; Mr. John Loughrey, Secretary General, Department of Public Enterprise; Mr. Eddie Sullivan, Secretary General, Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs; Ms Mamo McDonald, Former President, Irish Country-women's Association; Mr. Paddy Keating, National Secretary, Civil Service Division, IMPACT; Mr. Paddy Mullarkey, Secretary General, Department of Finance; Ms Catríona Murphy, Managing Director, Head of EMU Planning Unit, AIB Capital Markets; Mr. Dan Murphy, General Secretary, Public Service Executive Union; Professor John Murray, Department of Business Management, TCD; Mr. Blair Horan, General Secretary, Civil and Public Service Union; Mr. Seán Ó Riordáin, General Secretary, Association of Higher Civil and Public Servants; Ms Catherine Treacy, Chief Executive/Registrar of Deeds and Titles, Land Registry and Registry of Deeds; Mr. Eric Embleton, Assistant Secretary, CMOD, Department of Finance; Reports published in the last 12 months: none — the SMI Co-ordinating Group's comments on the reports of the SMI Implementation Group are disseminated throughout the Civil Service.
Performance Management Group
Established: October 1996
Role: To oversee the management of performance in the Civil Service and the introduction of a generic system of performance management.
Composition: Mr. Michael Kelly, Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform; Mr. Frank Ahern, Department of Health and Children; Mr. Joe Boyle, Civil Service Commission; Mr. George Burke, Department of the Taoiseach; Mr. Pat Casey, Department of the Taoiseach; Ms Mary Doyle, Department of the Taoiseach; Mr. Eric Embleton, CMOD Department of Finance; Ms Carmel Keane, CMOD Department of Finance; Ms Maura McGrath, Bank of Ireland; Ms Alice O'Flynn, Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs; Mr. Moling Ryan, Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands; Mr. Morgan Sheehy, Department of Agriculture and Food; Ms Mary Whelan, Department of Foreign Affairs; Ms Josephine Feehily, Revenue Commissioners; Ms Anna Doughan, Department of Education and Science; Mr. Michael McLoone, County Manager, Donegal County Council.
Reports published in the last 12 months: none.
Human Resource Management Group
Established: July 1996
Role: To develop and oversee implementation of the framework proposals of human resource managmeent set out in Delivering Better Government.
Composition: Mr. John Hurley, Department of Finance (Chair); Mr. Joe Boyle, Civil Service Commission; Mr. George Burke, Department of the Taoiseach; Mr. Paul Byrne, Department of Finance; Mr. Pat Casey, Department of the Taoiseach; Ms Anna Doughan, Department of Education and Science; Ms Mary Doyle, Department of the Taoiseach; Mr. Eric Embleton, CMOD Department of Finance; Ms Josephine Feehily, Revenue Commissioners; Mr. Kevin Heffernan, Former Chairman of the Labour Court; Ms Carmel Keane, CMOD Department of Finance; Mr. Michael Kelly, Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform; Ms Alice O'Flynn, Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs; Mr. Tom O'Mahony, Department of the Environment and Local Government; Mr. Michael Mc Loone, Donegal County Manager; Ms Mary Whelan, Department of Foreign Affairs; Mr. Séamus Feely, Revenue Commissiones. Mr. Tom Power, Department of Health and Children; Mr. John Gillespie, Department of Agriculture and Food; Mr. Joe McGovern, Department of Finance; Ms Maura McGrath, Bank of Ireland; Mr. Paddy Teahon, Department of the Taoiseach; Mr. Brendan Tuohy, Department of Public Enterprise.
Reports published in the last 12 months: none.
Basic Income Working Group
Established: 14 July 1997
Role: to examine the Basic Income Proposal.
Composition: representatives of the social partners and relevant Government Departments including the Departments of Finance, Enterprise, Trade and Employment and Social, Community and Family Affairs.
Reports published in the last 12 months: none.
The IFSC Clearing House Group
Established: December 1993
Role: To identify and consider issues of major concern to the long-term development of the IFSC. The group evolved from the IFSC committee set up during the early days of the IFSC. Three working groups, comprising representatives of the main financial sectors, have been established under the aegis of the clearing house group; the funds management group; the banking and treasury group; and the insurance group, which addresses specific sectors of the financial services industry to assist the clearing house group in pursuing a co-ordinating approach to policy development in the IFSC. In addition, sub groups are established on anad hoc basis to deal with particular issues as they arise.
Composition: Membership is restricted to senior public and private sector representatives.
Reports published in the last 12 months: none.
The National Millennium Committee
Established: November 1998
Role: To make recommendations to Government on the funding of projects for the millennium and on other millennium issues. A millennium liaison group with the main churches is in the process of being established.
Composition: The committee is chaired by the Government Chief Whip, Minister of State, Mr. Séamus Brennan, and comprises representatives of business, the arts, trades unions and other persons of public importance (the membership will be announced in the near future). In addition, the committee is assisted by a senior officials group drawn from Government Departments directly concerned with the millennium.
Reports published in the last 12 months: none.
Information Society Commission
Established: May 1997.
Role: The commission is an advisory body whose main function is to monitor and advise Government on the development of an information society in Ireland. One of the most important of the commission's tasks is to raise awareness amongst the general public and industry of the opportunities and benefits offered by the information society.
Composition: Ms Vivienne Jupp, Andersen Consulting (Chairman); Ms Selina Bonnie, Communcations Consultant; Ms Paula Carey, ICTU; Mr. Donal Connell, 3COM; Mr. Seán Corkery, Esat Telecom; Dr. Eamonn G. Hall, Telecom Éireann; Mr. Paul Kavanagh; Mr. Dermot McCarthy, Department of the Taoiseach; Mr. Eugene Murray, RTE; Mr. Séamus Ó Canainn, Blackrock Education Centre.
Reports published in the last 12 months: Information Society Ireland — First Report of Ireland's Information Society Commission was published in February 1998. It has also just published (November 1998) the results of a survey on the levels of public awareness of the information society, entitled Ireland as an Information Society .What the Public is Saying.
Information Society Commission Awareness Advisory Group
Established: September 1997.
Role: The main purpose of the awareness group involves agreeing and launching a widespread public awareness campaign, in conjunction with other organisations, highlighting the benefits that the information society if properly grasped will bring to people's everyday life.
Composition: Chair — Vacant; Selina Bonnie, Communications Consultant; John Fanning, McConnells Advertising; Peter Feeney, RTE; Caroline Gill, Insurance Ombudsman; Vivienne Jupp, Andersen Consulting; Dermot McCarthy, Department of the Taoiseach; John McGrath, National Youth Council of Ireland; Denis Molumby, IDA Ireland; Kate O'Toole, Department of the Taoiseach.
Reports published in the last 12 months: none.
Information Society Commission Infrastructure Advisory Group
Established: September 1997.
Role: The infrastructure advisory group will consider and make recommendations on any matters which it considers as necessary to work towards ensuring that an appropriate communications infrastructure is in place to meet the ever increasing technological requirements of both enterprise and the public.
Composition: Eugene Murray, RTE (Chair); Peter Branagan, RTE; John Callinan, Department of the Taoiseach; Martin Dennany, Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands; Paul Dowling, Revenue Commissioners; Barry Flanagan, Ireland-on-line; Paul Kavanagh; Ray Kavanagh, CMOD; Steve Keaveney, Cable Communications Association of Ireland; Tommy McCabe, IBEC; Larry Murtagh, NEC Semi-conductors; Sinead O'Marcaigh, Esat Telecom; John Sweeney, Telecom Éireann; Brendan Tuohy, Department of Public Enterprise.
Reports published in the last 12 months: none.
Information Society Commission Learning Advisory Group
Established: September 1997
Role: The learning advisory group will recommend and promote learning initiatives (in consultation with the Awareness Advisory Group) to ensure that all citizens are provided with learning that is relevant for the information society by addressing curriculum, teacher training and availability of technology.
Composition: Séamus Ó Canainn, Blackrock Education Centre (Chair); Donal Connell, 3Com; Ned Costelloe, Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment; Kathi Dillon, National Parents Council — Primary; Dennis Jennings, UCD; Frank Kelly, Department of Education and Science; Terry Landers, Ericsson; Donagh Morgan, Department of the Taoiseach; Brendan Murphy, FÁS; John Pierce, ICL.
Reports published in the last 12 months: none.
Information Society Commission Enterprise Advisory Group
Established: September 1997.
Role: The Enterprise Advisory Group will make recommendations on areas that will maximise the opportunities for the information society in Ireland to encourage existing industries to adopt information and communication technologies, to foster the establishment of new enterprises in the information industries and to create significant employment opportunities.
Composition: Seán Corkery, Esat Telecom (Chair); Colm Breslin, Department of Finance; Paula Carey, ICTU; Jennifer Condon, Forbairt; Michael Cunniffe, Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment; John Hickey, AIB; Katherine Lucey, IBEC; Donagh Morgan, Department of the Taoiseach; Chris O'Malley, DCU.
Reports published in the last 12 months: none.
Information Society Commission Legal Advisory Group
Established: September 1997.
Role: The legal issues group will consider and make recommendations on the proper legal framework that will be essential to facilitate the development of the Information Society in Ireland.
Composition: Eamonn Hall, Telecom Éireann (Chair); Peter Baldwin, Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment; John Callinan, Department of the Taoiseach; Bob Clark, UCD; Martin Dennany, Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands; Ken Hannigan, National Archives; John Haskins, Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform; Don McAleese, Matheson Ormsby and Prentice; Bill Riles, INTEL; Shane Smyth, FR Kelly; Fintan Towey, Department of Public Enterprise.
Reports published in the last 12 months: none.
Information Society Commission — Government Services and Social Inclusion Advisory Group
Established: September 1997.
Role: This group will consider the main actions required to be taken by Government in delivering its services through information and communications technologies. The issue of social inclusion in the information society is also a key concern for this advisory group.
Composition: Dermot McCarthy, Department of the Taoiseach (Chair); John Callinan, Department of the Taoiseach; Helen Campbell, Community and Social Sector; Esther Cockram, Congress Centres for the Unemployed; Derek Cunningham, Irish Farmer's Association; Emer Dolphin, Aontas; Jim Duffy, CMOD; Gerry Ellis, Forum for people with disabilities; James Griffin, Revenue Commissioners; Michael Manley, Department of the Environment and Local Government; Helen McDonald, Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs; Keith Murray, Garda Síochána; Margaret O'Connor, Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform; Maura Waters, Department of Agriculture and Food.
Reports published in the last 12 months: none.
Interdepartmental Implementation Group on the Information Society.
Established: February 1998.
Role: The role of this group is to progress the implementation of the information society agenda, including the recommendations of the Information Society Commission's report. Its tasks include making proposals to Government concerning the development of electronic commerce and electronic delivery of public services, appropriate institutional arrangements, the implications of a programme to enable full electronic government within, say three years and the resource implications arising.
Composition: Dermot McCarthy, Department of the Taoiseach (Chairman); Tom Arnold, Department of Agriculture and Food; John Callinan, Department of the Taoiseach; Seán Connolly, Office of the Revenue Commissioners; Jim Duffy, Department of Finance; Eric Embleton, Department of Finance; Tony Enright, Department of Health and Children; Michael Grant, Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands; John Haskins, Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform; Denis Healy, Department of Education and Science; Ronald Long, Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment; Donagh Morgan, Department of the Taoiseach; Gerry O'Hanlon, Central Statistics Office; Tom O'Mahony, Department of the Environment and Local Government; Oliver Ryan, Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs; Peter Ryan, Department of the Taoiseach; Brendan Tuohy, Department of Public Enterprise.
Reports published in the last 12 months: none.
NESF (National Economic and Social Forum)
Established: 1993.
Role: The National Economic and Social Forum was established by the Government in 1993 as an advisory body to contribute to the formation of a wider national consensus on economic and social policy, particularly to combat social exclusion. Its mandate was renewed in 1995 and in 1997. The newly constituted NESF will focus on the detailed monitoring of initiatives taken in the context of social partnership, especially with regard to social exclusion and long-term unemployment. The newly constituted forum held its inaugural meeting on 12 November 1998.
Composition: Its membership has been enhanced by the inclusion of representatives of Government Departments and of local government and independent members. The NESF comprises 15 members of the Houses of the Oireachtas; five nominees each from the business sector, the trade union sector and the farming sector; 15 representatives of non-governmental organisations; five representatives of Government Departments, five representatives of local government and five independent members.
Reports published in the last 12 months: In November and December 1997, prior to its mandate being renewed, the forum produced two reports and two opinions as follows:
Reports
Second Periodic Report on the Work of the Forum (November 1997).
A Framework for Partnership — Enriching Strategic Consensus Through Participation (November 1997).
Opinions
Development of the Equality Provisions (November 1997).
Targeted Employment and Training Measures (November 1997).
Interdepartmental Strategy Group on Employment and Unemployment
Established: October 1995.
Role: To facilitate co-operation in the labour market area between the relevant Departments and to contribute to the development of policy, especially with regard to long-term unemployment.
Composition: Chaired and serviced by the Department of the Taoiseach and comprises senior officials from the Departments of Finance; Social, Community and Family Affairs; Enterprise, Trade and Employment; Education and Science; Justice, Equality and Law Reform; and FÁS. The CSO attend as necessary.
Reports published in the last 12 months: none.
Working Group on Trade Union Recognition
Established: August 1997.
Role: To consider the detailed proposals submitted by IBEC and ICTU and to report to the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
Compostion: Chaired by the Department of the Taoiseach, the group comprises senior officials from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, IDA Ireland, Forbairt and the Department of Finance and representatives from IBEC and ICTU.
Reports published in the last 12 months: none.
Stadium Steering Committee
Established: First meeting took place on 22 October 1998.
Role: To conduct a detailed feasibility study for the development of a world class stadium capable of hosting major domestic and international sporting events.
Composition: The Committee comprises Mr.
Derek Keogh (Chairman), Mr. Paddy Teahon, Department of the Taoiseach; Mr. Phil Furlong, Department of Finance; Ms Julie O'Neill, Department of Tourism, Sport and Recreation; Liam Ó Maolmhicíl Uas, GAA; Mr. Bernard J. O'Byrne, FAI; Mr. John Treacy, Irish Sports Council; Mr. Brendan Foster, Nova International; Mr. Michael Walsh, 11U Ltd; Mr. John Power, Maurice Power Solicitors; Mr. Tony Hanahoe, Michael E. Hanahoe Solicitors; Ms Maeve Kyle; Mr. Tom Kiernan; Mr. William Attley; and Mr. Syd Miller.
Reports published in past 12 months: none.
National Statistics Board
Established: An interim board was established on a non statutory basis in February 1986. The board was established on a statutory basis in November 1994.
Role: To guide the strategic composition of the Central Statistics Office (CSO), including the establishment of priorities for the collection and compilation of statstics.
Composition: Chaired by Professor Frances P. Ruane, the board comprises senior officials from the Departments of the Taoiseach and Finance as well as representatives from the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers' Association, the Central Statistics Office, Smith & Nephew Ltd. and a secondary school teacher.
Reports published in the last 12 months: 1. Strategy for Statistics 1998-2002 (published in September 1998); 2. Implementation of Strategy for Statistics 1993-97 Progress Report 1996-97.
NESC (National Economic and Social Council)
Established: NESC was re-established in November 1998.
Role: The main tasks of the National Economic and Social Council shall be to provide a forum for discussion of the principles relating to the efficient development of the national economy and the achievement of social justice, and to advise the Government, through the Taoiseach, on their application.
Composition: The NESC is composed of five nominees from each of the following categories; trade unions, employer organisations, farming organisations, community and voluntary pillar, independent representatives and Government Departments.
Reports published in the last 12 months: 1. Population Distribution and Economic Development: Trends and Policy Implications (December 1997); 2. The Irish Dairy Processing Industry: An Application of Porter's Cluster Analysis (November 1997); 3. The Irish Indigenous Software Industry: An Application of Porter's Analysis (February 1998); 4. Private Sector Investment in Ireland; 5. Sustaining Competitive Advantage: Proceedings of NESC Seminar (March 1998).
Partnership 2000 Plenary
Established: First meeting took place in April 1997.
Role: To review progress each quarter, principally at a macro level, on the implementation of Partnership 2000.
Composition: Chaired once a year by the Taoiseach and on other occasions by a senior official from the Department of the Taoiseach. Plenary meetings are attended by 12 representatives from each of four social partner pillars, along with senior officials from all relevant Government Departments.
Reports published in last 12 months: Four progress reports on the implementation of Partnrship 2000.
Patnership 2000 Secretariat
Established: First meeting took place in June 1997.
Role: To review progress each quarter, principally at a micro level, on the implementation of Partnership 2000.
Composition: Chaired by a senior official from the Department of the Taoiseach, secretriat meetings are usually attended by four representatives from each of the four social partner pillars, along with officials from all relevant Government Departments.
Reports published in past 12 months: none.
The Central Statistics Office
The Central Statistics Office falls within the remit of Department of the Taoiseach.
Senior Officials Group (SOG)
Date of Establishment: 1996
Role: The SOG comprises senior officials of key Departments in relation to EU policy issues. The role of the group is to prepare the agenda and the policy papers required for the Ministers and Secretaries General group.
Composition: The group is chaired by the Assistant Secretary to Government and comprises Assistant Secretaries from the Departments of the Taoiseach, Foreign Affairs, Finance, Environment and Local Government, Justice, Equality and Law Reform; Agriculture and Food, Enterprise, Trade and Employment and Social, Community and Family Affairs.
Reports published in the last 12 months: The group does not publish reports.
