Vol. 424 No. 5
7 Mr. Farrelly asked the Minister for Defence when the efficiency audit report on the Army, which was promised by the Government, will be made available to the Members of Dáil Éireann; if the report has been completed; and if not, when it will be.
30 Mr. Ryan asked the Minister for Defence the current status of the Efficiency Audit Group's recommendations; if, in the light of this, it is proposed to amend Defence Forces Regulations; if so, if he intends to bring these before Dáil Éireann; and the discussions, if any, he has had to date with the relevant representative bodies regarding the implementation of the EAG's recommendations.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 7 and 30 together.
The Efficiency Audit Group was established by the Government in 1988 to examine the workings and practices of each Government Department with a view to recommending improved or alternative practices or methods which would reduce costs and improve efficiency.
In the defence area two working groups have conducted studies on behalf of the group. The first study focused on the civil branches of the Department of Defence and arising from the recommendations made, a second working group was established to examine administration in the military branches of the Department of Defence and within the Defence Forces. I am informed that this working group have now completed their work and that the Efficiency Audit Group are considering the findings of the working group and will present their report in due course.
When the second report of the Efficiency Audit Group becomes available, it is my intention to consider its finding and recommendations, together with the findings of the first report. Earlier this year, I met with the staff associations representing Civil Service staff in my Department at their request to discuss the implications for their members of the first EAG report.
May I ask the Minister when he received the first report? Taking into consideration the commitment given in this House to my predecessor, can he say why the report has not been made available? Will he give a commitment to the House that he will make the first report available?
As I have indicated, the activities in my Department and the military section interlock. There is a working group on the Defence Forces administrative structures and a working group on the civil branches of the Department of Defence. The first working group dealt with the Department and they reported to the Efficiency Audit Group. The result of that investigation pointed towards the setting up of the second working group. When the reports of the two working groups are available to me further action will be taken.
When does the Minister expect the report of the second working group to be completed? This reminds me of what the relevant Minister did when I was in my last portfolio — when the Minister received a report from one committee she set up another committee to deal with it and set up yet another committee to deal with the next report. When will the report be finalised and published?
As I said in my initial reply, I am informed that this working group have now completed their work and that the Efficiency Audit Group, the mother group so to speak, are considering their findings and will present their report in due course. I could not put a date on it but I do not expect it will be very long.
May I ask the Minister——
Order, let us not forget we are dealing with Priority Questions for which 15 minutes only is provided for in Standing Orders.
I wish——
The Deputy should not interrupt the Chair.
May I ask the Minister if he will publish the report after he receives it?
My inclination would be to do so but no decision has yet been taken on this. I will await the report from the second working group.
A brief question, Deputy Farrelly.
Who will make the final decision in regard to the publication of that report?
The Efficiency Audit Group were set up to report to the Taoiseach so I presume the decision will be made by him.
Question No. 8.
The Taoiseach gave a commitment to this House that that report would be made available.
Any commitment the Taoiseach gave will be adhered to.
Ar aghaidh go dtí Ceist 8, le do thoil.
Is the Minister going to go back on the Taoiseach's commitment?
Certainly not.
That is good.
I have called the next question.
