John Bruton
Ceist:2 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Taoiseach the progress, if any, made to formulate the legislative and administrative priorities of his Department for 1999; and the achievements to date of the 1998 programme. [21043/98]
Ceisteanna — Questions. - Proposed Legislation.
Ruairí Quinn
Ceist:3 Mr. Quinn asked the Taoiseach the legislative priorities of his Department for 1999; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22599/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 2 and 3 together. The Department of the Taoiseach's strategy statement, laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas on 1 May 1998, sets out the priorities for my Department for the period 1998-2001. The formulation and achievement of these priorities is an ongoing process as the Department responds to changing circumstances.
Good progress has been made in achieving these priorities, including the successful negotiation of the British-Irish Agreement and its ongoing implementation; the continued implementation of Partnership 2000, including further development of the partnership process and paving the way for a successor agreement; the ongoing development of national policy concerning European and international affairs, with particular regard to ensuring that Ireland continues to play an effective role in the work of the European Council on major issues on the European agenda; and strategy statements for all Departments and offices were laid before the Oireachtas on 1 May 1998.
The preparation of business planning and the putting in place of the framework for assignments of responsibilities provided for under the Public Service Management Act, 1997, will be completed by the end of the year. These measures will provide the basis for the putting in place of an ongoing process of managing performance, based on individual and team objectives at all levels across the Civil Service. Employment and business at the IFSC continues to grow strongly and a co-ordinated approach to support the centre's long-term development is being pursued.
My Department's priorities also include the publication of an updated and comprehensive Cabinet handbook; the facilitation of access by the public to information held by my Department, as provided for in the Freedom of Information Act; the implementation of a number of measures designed to facilitate greater co-ordination between the State's legal offices, including the establishment of a study group to consider proposals for a unified prosecution service and a consultative committee to promote greater liaison and communication among the law offices on issues of common interest; the organisation of an extensive programme of events to mark the 200th anniversary of the 1798 Rebellion and the ongoing work on a programme of events to celebrate the new millennium; and the roles and functions of the National Economic and Social Council and the National Economic and Social Forum have been reviewed. Each has a unique contribution to make to the process of social partnership. The National Economic and Social Council had its inaugural meeting on 4 November 1998 while that of the National Economic and Social Forum has been arranged for 12 November. The heads of a Bill to place both bodies on a statutory footing have been approved by the Government and are with the parliamentary draftsman's office. It is anticipated that the Bill will be published in 1999.
I notice that the performance of individual and teams of civil servants is to be put on an ongoing basis of performance management. Does this apply to the senior official who has been put in charge of the Independent Deputies and will he be put on a performance-related pay basis? Is the media monitoring unit, whose role is so important to the Taoiseach, also being put on a performance-related pay basis?
Whatever about performance pay, I hope the efficiency of these units is effective. They only monitor what is written. They do not decide influences.
Pounds per column inch.
Is the Dublin Taxi Forum included in the Department's priorities? What has been the outcome of that forum in which the Taoiseach and his Department were directly involved?
We had a long discussion in the House last week on this issue. I appreciate that the Deputy was not present for that debate. That work is now completed in my Department and the various proposals and conclusions are being followed through in various Departments, particularly that of Minister of State, Deputy Molloy, who has answered questions on this subject.
Are the media monitoring group's reports to the Taoiseach available under the Freedom of Information Act?
They are not worth the paper they are not written on.
If they are not available under the Freedom of Information Act, I am sure they are freely available like most other things.
I wish to inquire about proposed legislation concerning the National Economic and Social Council. Is there any restructuring of that Bill envisaged in light of the regionalisation plans? Will that organisation require any restructuring as a result of those plans?
I do not think so. The new bodies will continue more or less as before and will be put on a statutory basis for the reasons I outlined to the House. Their analytical work will continue as before. I do not see any restrictions on that work.