The Programme for Government contains a number of commitments, including that referred to in the Deputy’s question, to ensure that there is legal clarity and certainty regarding the legal relationship between Ministers and their civil servants and the appropriate accountabilities that apply in each case. As I have previously informed the House, my Department carried out a review of the existing accountability framework for ministers and civil servants set out in the Ministers and Secretaries Acts and the Public Service Management Act, 1997. A consultation paper based on the outcome of that review is currently being finalised.
The case for guidelines in relation to the documentation of decision making can be assessed in the context of the process following the publication of the consultation paper.