Thank you, Chairman, for your remarks, which I appreciate.
I welcome the opportunity to appear before the select committee as it considers the 2008 Estimates for Vote 2 - Department of the Taoiseach, Vote 3 - Office of the Attorney General, Vote 4 - Central Statistics office, Vote 13 Office of the Chief State Solicitor, and Vote 14 - Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
A total of €45.394 million has been provided in the Estimate for my Department in 2008, an increase of 3.6% on the 2007 allocation. This increase arises from the new provision for the organisational review programme and additional funding for the National Forum on Europe to meet the increased costs as a result of its increased activity in the context of the reform treaty. However, there is an underlying decrease of €600,000 or 2.7% in the administrative budget allocation for my Department, which has been achieved through the implementation of a range of efficiency measures including the increased use of shared services and better procurement practices.
The Estimate will fund a range of activities to advance the objectives in my Department's strategy statement, in particular the specific targets as set out in the output statement for my Department. The Department plays a key role in supporting the Government as it continues to progress national priorities; including promoting our interests in the EU and the wider world; steering economic adjustment in a period of lower growth through engagement with the social partners; achieving balanced development and a caring society; driving the capacity of the public sector to even higher levels of performance through the continued development of the modernisation agenda; and our overriding priority of securing lasting peace on the island of Ireland.
Much of my Department's work supports the activities of other Departments, so that its impact on final outcomes is often indirect and captured in the output of our sister Departments. Our output indicators are therefore mainly qualitative in nature.
When I spoke to this committee last year after the Assembly elections in Northern Ireland, I expressed the view that we could build a new relationship between the traditions on this island and that we could move on in a new spirit of friendship based on open dialogue and mutual respect. I am glad to say that, in the past year, we have seen remarkable progress in Northern Ireland, in relations on this island and relations between these islands. We are working together and making important progress in areas like transport and education, agriculture and the environment, tourism and energy and I have no doubt we can make our all-island economy a resounding success. We are committed to completing the devolution of policing and justice powers to the Northern Ireland Executive, as we continue to implement the St. Andrews Agreement, in full. North-South Co-operation has developed on a very practical level with our latest national development plan including joint investment in strategic projects of mutual benefit to both jurisdictions. For example, the Government is contributing €60 million to an exciting new joint innovation fund over the next four years.
Last week, I had the honour of addressing the Oireachtas Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement. The establishment of the committee is a reflection of the new political context on this island. At that meeting, we had public representatives, from North and South, engaging on a matter of enormous significance for the whole island. I understand why many Unionist representatives felt unable to attend. However, I hope that one day we will find a way for public representatives from all traditions to engage together on issues that affect us all. In today's world, it makes sound, practical sense for all of us on this island to work together for the benefit of all our people.
Last year when I spoke to the committee, I had earlier that day welcomed Dr. Paisley to Dublin. On Tuesday, 6 May, together with the First Minister, I will officially open the site of the Battle of the Boyne. The opening of this site and its wonderful visitor centre is recognition of the significance of the battle in the history of Ireland and Europe. It is also a symbol of our passionate desire for reconciliation between the great traditions that share this island. Real and genuine reconciliation will enable all of us to move beyond the conflicts of the past and the legacy of history.
The European and international affairs division supports me in my role as a member of the European Council and as Head of Government, dealing with Ireland's role in the European Union and in international affairs. The division works in close collaboration with the Department of Foreign Affairs and with other Departments, to promote Ireland's interests in EU and in international policy formulation. On 13 December 2007, I signed the reform treaty in Lisbon. The treaty is designed to enable the Union to manage twenty first century challenges which are increasingly global in nature - climate change, energy demand, cross-border crime and an increasingly connected global economy. At the same time, the treaty rationalises the EU's institutional framework so that the Union functions in a fair, efficient and effective manner. It also brings into force the Charter of Fundamental Rights to reflect the Union's values and underpins the rights of individuals across the Union. An extensive information campaign is being conducted by the Government to ensure the public are well informed in advance of the referendum. It is clearly desirable that the maximum possible number of citizens are encouraged to cast their vote.
My Department co-ordinates Ireland's activities in progressing the goals of the Lisbon strategy, which is discussed each year at the Spring European Council. The continued progress on economic growth and the creation of jobs in the European Union is very welcome in view of current economic conditions. Growth and jobs are what the Lisbon Strategy is about. The strategy's integrated guidelines and priority areas are fully in line with Ireland's priorities and objectives, set out in the programme for Government and Towards 2016.
On the wider international side, my Department's main interest is in strengthening bilateral relations with non-EU States, particularly in respect to international trade, and ensuring effective pursuit of Ireland's interests in international bodies and organisations, including the United Nations and the World Trade Organisation. In January of this year, I led the largest ever Irish trade mission to South Africa. The objectives of the visit were to further develop Irish-South African bilateral and trade relations and to visit Irish Aid funded development projects. The trade mission was an all-Ireland event, reflecting the increasing co-operation among companies and business organisations across the island of Ireland.
I also travelled to Tanzania to see at first hand the impact of Irish Aid's development programme in that country. I visited a number of projects supported by Irish Aid in key areas such as health, education and agriculture. These international visits form part of Ireland's strategic approach to developing our bilateral political, economic and cultural relations.
There is greater uncertainty than normal attached to the economic outlook. As a small and very open economy, we are directly affected by recent international developments, including the strengthening of the euro, rising commodity prices, and the turbulence in financial markets. However, notwithstanding that we are adjusting to a period of slower growth, we must not lose sight of the fact that there is real strength and dynamism in the Irish economy. We have a dynamic and well-educated labour force, low rates of taxation on both capital and labour, and sound public finances carrying one of the lowest levels of debt in the EU. That is why we should be confident in our capacity to respond effectively to less favourable economic conditions - not because we are immune but because of our proven capacity for problem solving and managing transformational change.
It is the underlying strength of the economy that is supporting the unprecedented level of investment now under way in enhancing our productive capacity, including a €100 billion capital programme under the national development plan. Following the 2008 budget, we are now committing nearly 6% of gross national product over the next five years to upgrading national infrastructure.
The task of Government, in this environment in particular, is to steer the economy and to guide the behaviour of various social actors in a consistent manner that reinforces confidence, while driving rapid adjustment when pressures or opportunities require it. That is expressed in the Government's strategy underlying the 2008 budget, and it will shape our continuing engagement with the social partners, especially in the forthcoming negotiations.
Towards 2016 commits that a formal review of the agreement will take place during this calendar year. The review will commence tomorrow and will run in parallel with the pay and workplace negotiations. It will involve a comprehensive review of progress on the implementation of the agreement. At the last plenary meeting of the social partners, I invited them to participate in the review process, and to that end each pillar has been preparing its position for the negotiations.
My Department will continue to work with other Departments to ensure a whole Government approach to the social policy agenda, through the Cabinet committees and senior official groups on social inclusion and health. Key issues for this year in the wider context include overseeing the continued transformation of the health service, the development of a national carers strategy, reviews of the Combat Poverty Agency and the national drugs strategy, and the ongoing implementation of the national disability strategy.
I am pleased to report that substantial progress continues to be made in the change and modernisation agenda for the public service, not least those developments provided for under Towards 2016. The overall objective of the programme is to maximise the contribution of public service organisations to the achievement of the Government's objectives through greater efficiency and effectiveness in the delivery of quality services to the citizen.
Work this year will be focused on a number of key initiatives. Last year, I invited the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development to undertake a major review of our public service. The OECD team is currently finalising its report, which I will launch next Monday, 28 April. This will be the first review with such a scope undertaken by the OECD. Of course, many stand-alone reviews of different parts and aspects of the public service in our country have been undertaken over the years. What is different is that this review is of the whole public service.
The whole public service review will report on how the Irish public service is performing relative to other OECD countries, and it will make some recommendations for our consideration as part of a renewed public service reform programme. I want our public service to be genuinely world class and fit for purpose to meet the needs of our citizens, but we need to show delivery on the ground, to highlight what is working and what is not, and to help ourselves to make more informed choices about where to allocate resources. In the coming months, the Government will develop policy proposals and initiatives following appropriate analysis of, and consultation on, the OECD review recommendations.
Complementing the OECD review is a new process known as the organisational review programme, which focuses on capacities at organisational level and which is being piloted in three Departments. That involves detailed examination and assessment of the structures, capacities, procedures and leadership capabilities in individual Departments and Government offices. The goal is to achieve a better use of resources and to improve the capacity of individual organisations to meet future challenges.
I am confident the reviews will provide important new signposts for the management of the three pilot Departments concerned. Publication of the results will be accompanied by follow-up action plans on the key findings. We will then assess the effectiveness of the pilot phase and make any necessary adjustments before further roll-out to other Departments. Overall, I am confident the reviews will yield new and better ways of doing our business.
Ongoing improvements are also being made in quality customer service. In July last year, I established a task force on customer service, which is working to advance the customer service commitments set out in the new programme for Government and to strengthen and deepen the quality customer service initiative in a co-ordinated manner throughout the wider public service. The task force has already produced its first interim report and should submit its final report early next year.
I want also to mention the Taoiseach's public service excellence awards, which I presented in Dublin Castle last Friday. A total of 20 projects were selected to receive awards this year from more than 180 entries from all over the country. I see the public service excellence awards as an important way of recognising and rewarding examples of good practice from throughout the public service. We do not often hear much about the good news stories and it is important to acknowledge that some very good work is going on out there.
The programme of work for the better regulation unit is guided by the Government White Paper, Regulating Better. Improving the regulatory environment for business is an important driver in maintaining Ireland's competitiveness. In this context, funding will be used for an independent benchmarking review to assess the comparative efficiency and effectiveness of key Irish economic regulators. Funding has been allocated this year for the completion of an independent review of the operation of the regulatory impact analysis. It is expected that the report will be finished shortly.
The Estimate for the Office of the Attorney General is €19.551 million. A total of €15.389 million is for the operating costs of the office, and the remaining €4.162 million is provided by way of grant-in-aid to the Law Reform Commission. Salaries, wages and allowances in the office account for €11.18 million. Some of the extra costs arise from the increase in posts sanctioned in January 2007, which the office hopes to fill fully during 2008, while the continuing programme of secondment of advisory counsel to Departments also adds to costs while increasing the efficiency of legal advisory services. Incidental expenses account for €1.03 million, which includes an allocation for staff training, information resources and services, advertising, cleaning, security and entertainment.
An allocation of €1.031 million is earmarked for office machinery and other office supplies and related services. The costs include those arising from the case and records management system - which is a joint system with the Office of the Chief State Solicitor - the maintenance of the office's human resources management system, knowledge management, updating the electronic Irish Statute Book, and the ongoing roll-out of the management and information framework. The subhead also covers office supplies, office printing and photocopying, and other office equipment. General information technology projects and equipment make up the balance.
The contract legal expertise provision of €1.1 million includes allocations for the employment of consultant parliamentary counsel, who are required in view of the Government's extensive legislative programme, and for the engagement of a contract barrister and researchers for the pre-1922 statute law revision project.
The Estimate also makes provision for grant-in-aid of €4.162 million to the Law Reform Commission. The commission has taken over responsibility for the preparation of restatements of legislation and the legislation directory, which was formerly the chronological tables to the statutes. The increased allocation reflects the filling of all the sanctioned posts in the commission.
This year's Estimate for the Office of the Chief State Solicitor is €41.283 million. Salaries, wages and allowances in the office account for €16.124 million. The increase is attributable to an increase in staffing sanctioned last year, along with provision for payment of increases under Towards 2016. A total of €1.248 million has been allocated for office machinery and other office supplies and related services. That includes the cost of the maintenance and support of the case and records management system and financial management systems in use in the office, which are shared with the Office of the Attorney General.
The case and records management system is now operational in all areas of both offices. It is expected that an interface between that system and the financial management system, so as to enable the full roll-out of the management information framework, will be completed later this year. The office has requested extra accommodation, and provision has been made for furniture, security and cleaning in the relevant subheads. The State solicitor service has now been transferred to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and funding in subhead A8 will be used for the conduct of civil work outside the Dublin area.
The Estimate for the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions is €44.552 million. This provides for the salaries and expenses of the director and his staff, the cost of the local State solicitor service, fees to counsel engaged by the director to prosecute cases in the various courts, and legal costs awarded against the State arising out of judicial review and other legal proceedings.
I conclude by commending the Estimates to the committee and by thanking committee members, as always, for their attention. I will now hand over to Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach, Deputy Tom Kitt, who will make a presentation on the Estimates for the knowledge society initiatives and the Central Statistics Office, for which he has ministerial responsibility.