Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 December 2014
93. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding the commitment in the Programme for Government regarding ending the unacceptable practice where no record is kept of Ministerial involvement with an issue and resulting decisions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46766/14]
View answerThe Programme for Government commitment in relation to keeping a record of Ministerial involvement with an issue and resulting decisions is one of a range of commitments focused on delivering greater accountability. Other commitments in this area in the Programme for Government include clarifying the legal relationship between Ministers and their civil servants, and their legal accountability for decisions and for management of Departments.
In light of these commitments, in January of this year my Department produced a consultation paper entitled 'Strengthening Civil Service Accountability and Performance'. This Consultation Paper explored how Ministers and public servants can most effectively operate together in an increasingly complex environment, to best meet the range of economic and societal challenges which lie ahead. This paper initiated an extensive consultation process managed by the Independent Panel on Strengthening Civil Service Accountability and Performance, chaired by Professor Kevin Rafter. The recommendations of the Independent Panel were published in June of this year and contributed significantly to the recently launched Civil Service Renewal Plan.
The Civil Service Renewal Plan outlines a vision for the Civil Service and the practical changes that will create a more unified, professional, responsive, open and accountable Civil Service. These changes include publication of "who does what" and setting a common governance standard in order to strengthen corporate governance in the Civil Service in line with international best practice. It is intended that this will be achieved by formalising the role of the Management Board in Departments and support the greater ministerial and managerial interaction in jointly and regularly reviewing priorities and performance. It will also mean introducing a single governance standard for all Management Boards, and establishing an annual assessment for all Boards to measure delivery and performance. Within this context of reviewing overall governance arrangements within Civil Service Departments and Offices the formal processes and mechanisms for documenting decisions made within a Department, and by whom, will be reviewed and clarified across the system. I see this work as a practical measure consistent with our Government reform programme.
