Ceisteanna — Questions.
1 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Taoiseach the cross-departmental teams and interdepartmental committees which his Department is represented on; the purpose of each; the number of times they meet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29730/03]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department participates in a wide range of cross-departmental teams and interdepartmental committees, many of which come under the aegis of other members of the Government and deal with issues primarily under their remit. If the Deputy wishes to obtain information about any specific activity of those teams or committees, he should table a question to the appropriate Minister or Ministers. The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following schedule:
|
Title of Teams/Committees |
Purpose |
Frequency of Meetings |
|
Cross-Departmental Team on Housing, Infrastructure and PPPs which is chaired by a senior official from my Department. |
To support the Cabinet Committee on Housing, Infrastructure and PPPs in the key task of providing a strong central guide and focus for the delivery of key national infrastructure, especially the investment programme set out in the National Development Plan. |
The Team usually meets as required. |
|
Senior Officials Group on Social Inclusion |
To support the Cabinet Committee on Social Inclusion |
Monthly |
|
Subgroup of Senior Officials on Community Employment |
To provide strategic advice on the future of Community Employment Schemes |
As required |
|
Subgroup of Senior Officials on Disability |
To progress work in relation to the Disability Bill |
As required |
|
Strategic Task Force on Alcohol |
To review international research to identify and recommend to Government, specific, evidence-based measures to prevent and reduce alcohol related harm. |
As required |
|
Inter-Departmental Group on Alcohol |
Co-ordinate responses to the recommendations contained in the Task Force Report |
As required |
|
Inter-Departmental Group on Drugs |
Co-ordinate the implementation of the National Drugs Strategy through partnership with Government Departments, State Agencies and Community and Voluntary sector and to bring to the attention of the Cabinet Committee on Social Inclusion any identified issues which have a detrimental effect on the implementation of policy |
Monthly |
|
National Drugs Strategy Team (NDST) |
The NDST is responsible for co-ordinating the response to the drug problem nationally, as well as overseeing and supporting the work of the Regional and Local Drugs Task Forces. |
Weekly |
|
National Children's Office Advisory Board |
To support the work of the Cabinet Committee on Children |
Quarterly |
|
Inter Departmental Group on Life Long Learning |
Oversees implementation of the Report of the Taskforce on Lifelong Learning |
As required |
|
Monitoring Group for Social Economy |
Oversees and Monitors the running of the Social Economy Programme |
|
|
NDP/CSF Equal Opportunities and Social Inclusion Co-ordinating Committee |
Established to secure the maximum application of commitments on equal opportunities particularly gender equality and social inclusion across the National Development Plan |
Twice a year |
|
Inter-Departmental Committee on 10th Anniversary of UN Year of the Family |
Established to co-ordinate a Governmental programme of activities for the 10th anniversary of the International Year of the Family in 2004 |
As required |
|
Task Force on Integration of Local Government and Local Development Systems |
Oversees the County and City Development Board process |
As required |
|
RAPID National Monitoring Committee |
Oversees the operation of Strands I and II of the RAPID Programme. |
Every 2-3 months |
|
Implementation and Advisory Group on the White Paper Supporting Voluntary Activity |
Oversees implementation of the White Paper on a Framework for Supporting Voluntary Activity and for Developing the Relationship between the State and the Community and Voluntary Sector. |
Monthly |
|
Management Group for Social Inclusion Office |
Oversees the work of the National Office on Social Inclusion |
As required |
|
NAPS — Social Inclusion Consultative Group |
To provide advice to the National Office on the development of NAPS |
Twice a year |
|
NAPS Technical Advisory Group |
To provide technical advice to the National Office on data and research issues |
As required |
|
The National Security Committee is chaired by the Secretary General to the Government. |
The Committee is concerned with ensuring that the Government are advised of high level security issues and the responses to them, but not involving operational security issues. |
The Committee continues to meet as required and members liaise on an ongoing basis to monitor developments which might have national security implications, in particular in the international arena. |
|
The eCabinet Stakeholders Group is chaired by an Assistant Secretary in the Department of the Taoiseach. |
It provides a forum to allow for consultation with Government Departments in relation to the proposed eCabinet system. |
The Group met on 3 occasions in 2003. |
|
Interdepartmental Co-ordinating Committee on European Union Affairs (ICCEUA) |
The ICCEUA is chaired by Minister of State for European Affairs, Mr. Dick Roche TD. The Committee co-ordinates national policy across all Government Departments on the EU's policy agenda and assists in the preparation of meetings of the Cabinet Committee on European Affairs. The Secretariat of the ICCEUA is in the Department of the Taoiseach. The following Committees /Groups report to the ICCEUA: 1. The Interdepartmental Co-ordinating Committee for the Presidency 2. The Interdepartmental Administrative Presidency Planning Group |
The Committee meets every second week. |
|
Intergovernmental Conference Group |
This Group, chaired by the Taoiseach, was established to advise on Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) issues during Ireland's Presidency. The Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Minister of State for European Affairs and a number of senior officials from key Departments, including the Department of the Taoiseach, attend meetings of this Group. |
Meets every second week as required. |
|
Senior Officials Group on the Presidency |
The Senior Officials' Group deals with day-to-day preparations of the policy aspects of the Presidency and, in particular, the overall approaches for both European Council meetings scheduled during our Presidency. It is chaired by a senior official in the Department of the Taoiseach and consists of senior officials from key Departments. |
Meets weekly. |
|
Interdepartmental Lisbon Group |
This Group, chaired by the Department of the Taoiseach, was established in 2002 to identify priority areas to be addressed and advanced during the Irish Presidency of the EU so that the 10 year European economic, social and environmental reform programme known as the Lisbon Agenda is appropriately progressed at the Spring European Council in 2004. The Group also reviews national progress on implementing and achieving the Lisbon Agenda targets. |
The Group meets on a monthly basis. |
|
Other EU/International Committees |
The Department of the Taoiseach chairs ad hoc interdepartmental groups as required. In 2003, for example, the Department of the Taoiseach chaired groups on the EU language regime and enlargement. In addition, the Department of the Taoiseach participates in a range of groups chaired by the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Department of Finance and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, including on the Presidency, the Initiative for Growth, Communicating Europe, Oireachtas Scrutiny, and the Asia Strategy. |
|
|
Freedom of Information Interdepartmental Working Group |
Its purpose is to provide a background source of support to secure the successful implementation of Freedom of Information by providing advice and guidance on policy areas |
Regular scheduled meetings throughout the year |
|
Freedom of Information — Civil Service Users Network |
It exists to promote best practice in FOI and to share knowledge and experience. Its work co-ordinates cross-Departmental FOI requests. It also acts as a conduit for the collection of statistics on FOI for member Departments and bodies directly under their aegis. |
Approx. once a month |
|
Emergency Response Co-ordination Committee |
Under the National Emergency Plan for Nuclear Accidents, this committee meets. Its purpose is to recommend countermeasures to protect the population |
As required |
|
Consultative Committee on Nuclear Emergency Planning |
The purpose of this is strategic planning for nuclear emergencies. Its work has largely been subsumed into the Government Task Force and the associated Interdepartmental Working Group on Emergency Planning both under the Minister for Defence and the Office of Emergency Planning. |
As required |
|
Attorney General's Consultative Committee on Law Reform Commission |
A consultative committee comprising representatives of the Departments of the Taoiseach, Finance, Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Enterprise, Trade and Employment and Health and Children, the Bar Council and the Incorporated Law Society, under the auspices of the Office of the Attorney General, to: assist the Attorney General in his consultations with the Commission in relation to research programmes, in the selection of specific topics for examination by the Commission and monitor the implementation of the recommendations of the Commission. |
As required |
|
The Government Task Force on Emergency Planning |
This Task Force is under the chairmanship of the Minister for Defence and is an important mechanism which works to ensure that a co-ordinated response to possible emergencies is provided by public authorities |
Eight times in the last year |
|
Interdepartmental Working Group on Emergency Planning |
This group encompasses all Departments with lead roles in the various Government emergency plans and those key public authorities which plan to support such activities. The group works under the guidance of the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning and is a forum for the discussion and sharing of information as well as providing strategic guidance to all those involved in emergency planning. |
Eight times in the last year |
|
Interdepartmental Group on National Security |
Established in 1974 arising from a recommendation of the Finlay Inquiry into National Security generally, the Committee initially considered broad areas of national security in the context of an overspill of the Northern Ireland situation. In recent years it has focused, almost exclusively, on security at the Government Buildings complex including Leinster House. |
As required |
|
National Allocation Plan Steering Committee chaired by Department of the Environment, Heritage & Local Government |
Established in July, 2003 to oversee the work of consultants engaged to make recommendations to policy makers within an Irish policy context, on the most economically efficient apportionment of Ireland's assigned amount units (AAU's) under the Kyoto Protocol between those participating in emissions trading (including new entrants) and those outside emissions trading |
At least once a month |
|
Tax Strategy Group |
Under the auspices of the Dept of Finance |
As required |
|
Contact Group on Affordable Housing Initiative |
To co-ordinate the implementation of the Special Initiative under Sustaining Progress on Affordable Housing |
Regularly |
|
Cross Departmental Team on Housing, Infrastructure and PPPs — Legal Issues Subgroup |
To support the Cabinet Committee on Housing Infrastructure and PPPs |
As required |
|
Cross Departmental Team on Housing, Infrastructure and PPPs — Wider Energy Issues subgroup |
To support the Cabinet Committee on Housing Infrastructure and PPPs and to consider the Wider Energy Issues |
As required |
|
NDP Communications Strategy Group |
To co-ordinate communications in relation to the National Development Plan |
As required |
|
Inter Departmental Committee on PPPs — Dept of Finance |
This is a matter for the Department of Finance |
|
|
Standing Committee on the GGB — Dept of Finance |
This is a matter for the Department of Finance |
|
|
Inter Departmental Committee on Science & Technology |
This is a matter for the Dept. Enterprise, Trade & Employment |
|
|
Inter Departmental Committee on National Spatial Strategy |
This is a matter for the Dept Environment Heritage & Local Govt. |
|
|
Inter Departmental Committee on NCCS |
This is a matter for the Dept Environment Heritage & Local Government |
|
|
Inter Departmental Committee on Lisbon Strategy |
To consider progress on the Lisbon Agenda |
As required |
|
Inter Departmental Committee on the OECD — Dept of Foreign Affairs |
To co-ordinate communications with the OECD |
As required |
|
IDC on Non-Labour Market Aspects of EU enlargement |
Established to look at the non-labour market aspects of EU enlargement |
One meeting held to date |
|
British Irish Interdepartmental Co-ordinators Group |
To co-ordinate Government policy in relation to the work of the British-Irish Council |
As necessary |
|
High Level Interdepartmental Committee on North/South |
to exchange information and to co-ordinate Government policy on North/South matters |
On a regular basis |
|
North/South Interdepartmental Co-ordinators Group |
to exchange information and to co-ordinate Government policy on North/South matters |
On a regular basis |
|
Implementation Group of Secretaries General |
This group provides leadership to and co-ordinates the modernisation programme for the Civil Service. |
It generally meets on a monthly basis. |
|
HRM Subgroup of the Implementation Group |
This group reports to the Implementation Group in relation to the HRM aspects of the modernisation programme. |
It generally meets four or five times a year. |
|
Change Management Network |
The Network assists the implementation and integration of the modernisation programme within Departments/Offices. |
It generally meets every six weeks. |
|
PMDS Network |
This Network facilitates the sharing of information and best practice regarding the implementation of the Performance Management and Development System (PMDS) across the Civil Service. |
It generally meets four times a year. |
|
Subgroup of General Council on the Evaluation of PMDS |
This Group is responsible for the evaluation of PMDS which is currently taking place. |
It generally meets three to four times a year. |
|
Subgroup of General Council on the Evaluation of Partnership |
This Group is responsible for the Review of Partnership which is currently taking place. |
It generally meets three to four times a year. |
|
Steering Group on Implementation of the Strategic Review of the Civil Service & Local Appointments Commission (CSLAC) |
This group oversees implementation of the recommendations of the Strategic Review of the Civil Service & Local Appointments Commission |
It generally meets three to four times a year. |
|
Ad Hoc Steering Group on Competitive Promotion Procedures |
This Group was recently established to consider best practice for competitive, merit-based promotions in the Civil Service. |
There will be two or three meetings this year. |
|
Committee for Public Management Research (CPMR) |
The Committee carries out and publishes research on public management issues. |
It meets about four times a year. |
|
Quality Customer Service (QCS) Working Group |
This group's role is to oversee the development of the Quality Customer Service initiative. |
It meets six times a year. |
|
QCS Officers Network |
This Network provides a forum for those directly involved in driving the QCS agenda in individual Departments to raise issues of concern and mutual interest and discuss ideas for improvements. |
It meets six times a year. |
|
QCS Research Sub Group |
The role of this Group is to develop and oversee research projects in support of the wider QCS agenda. |
The group has met nine times to date. |
|
QCS Equality/Diversity Subgroup |
This Subgroup addresses issues relating to equality (including legislative matters) and strategies for serving a diverse customer base. |
The group meets approximately four times a year. |
|
Communications Strategy Group |
The function of this Group is to develop strategies for communicating the modernisation programme within the civil service and to the general public. |
The group has met nine times to date. |
|
High Level Group on Regulation |
The role of this Group is to oversee the development and co-ordination of the Better Regulation agenda in Ireland. |
The Group has met 16 times to date. |
|
Regulation Policy Drafting Group |
The role of the Regulation Policy Drafting Group is to assist in the drafting of a Government White Paper on Regulation. |
The Group has met eight times to date. |
|
Financial Management Subgroup |
The Financial Management Subgroup, a subgroup of the Implementation Group of Secretaries General, provides a forum for discussion of the implications of Financial Management reforms, including Management Information Framework (MIF). |
The Group has met on six occasions to date |
|
MIF Consultative Committee |
MIF Consultative Committee This Committee oversees the roll-out of MIF across Departments and Offices. |
It is understood that the Group meets every two months. |
|
MIF Project Management Group |
This is a sub-committee of the MIF Consultative Committee whose purpose is the project management of the MIF roll-out in Departments |
Approx. every 6 weeks |
|
MIF Training Group |
This is a sub-committee of the MIF Project Management Group whose purpose is to determine the requirements for and design training interventions for MIF across Departments |
This Group meets quite frequently — approx. once per month depending on the work schedule. |
|
Mullarkey Implementation Group |
To oversee the implementation of the recommendations in the Mullarkey Report for improvements to systems and structures in Departments to support the Secretary General in discharging his responsibilities as Accounting Officer. |
Monthly |
|
Public Service Decentralisation Programme Liaison Offices Network |
To act as a channel of communication between the Decentralisation Implementation Committee and Government Departments in relation to the roll-out of the Public Service Decentralisation Programme |
As requested |
|
Steering Group on Business Planning and Resource |
The Group's role is to explore the potential for better links between business planning, resource allocation, financial management, accountability of resources at output/outcome level and managing performance at an individual level. |
It is understood that the Group generally meets on a quarterly basis. |
|
Personnel Officers Network |
Provides a forum for discussion on HR issues and implementation of same |
Every quarter |
|
Working Group Resource Allocation and Business Planning Pilot Project |
This Group is co-ordinating a Resource Allocation and Business Planning pilot project, the results of which will be considered in due course by the Steering Group on Resource Allocation and Business Planning. |
It is understood that the Group usually meets on monthly basis. |
|
Cross Departmental Civil Service Training and Development Committee |
The committee will have overall responsibility, now and in the future, for advising on the implementation of the Civil Service Training and Development Framework 2004-2008 and addressing common Civil Service training and development needs. It will also promote collaboration and sharing of resources in addressing common training and development needs. |
The Committee have not had their first meeting yet. |
Are there operational cross-departmental teams below ministerial level that deal with aspects of the peace process or the all-Ireland ministerial council, given, for example, the shared responsibility between his Department and the Department of Foreign Affairs? As all Departments have a responsibility in this, given the work of the ministerial council and the Implementation Bodies, at what level is this work co-ordinated, if at all, between them? How has this work been affected by the suspension of the institutions in the North? Are the structures being kept in place and is work continuing pending the resumption of those institutions?
How does the Taoiseach envisage the work of the cross-departmental committees and the working groups being affected by the proposals for decentralisation? Does he have concerns that the decentralisation of Departments will have an adverse effect on the effectiveness of the current arrangements between Departments in regard to the peace process and the all-Ireland ministerial council or other areas in which cross-departmental co-operation is important? Was that matter substantively evaluated prior to the announcement by the Minister for Finance of the Government's intent to decentralise?
The relevant point concerning my Department is that, in regard to the bodies involved in the British-Irish interdepartmental co-ordinating group, we have a high level interdepartmental committee on the North-South issues and a North-South interdepartmental co-ordinating group and, as the Deputy pointed out, there are three separate groups to deal with Northern Ireland issues together with the Department of Foreign Affairs.
I can confirm that all the arrangements put in place since the Good Friday Agreement to deal with aspects of North-South bodies and their operation are fully in place and working and it is our intention to keep them so. We have managed to keep them operating effectively with a work flow. It would better if the institutions were up and running but we have managed to keep the system in place and will continue to do so.
The other questions are more relevant to the Department of Finance. However, the Deputy's second question answers his third because all the meetings of the interdepartmental committees on the North-South bodies involve officials based in the secretariat in Northern Ireland. They are some of the most effective working committees there or elsewhere. Based on my long experience of six and a half to seven years, this system will also work well in other decentralised Departments and may well work better.
A Cheann Comhairle——
The Chair has been generous. My predecessors have ruled that, when a reply is to be printed in the Official Report and not given orally, Members should await that reply rather than pursue the matter by supplementary questions. In the Chair's opinion, it does not make sense to have supplementary questions when the reply to the main question is not known.
With the Chair's indulgence, may I simply revisit one detail of the question I asked the Taoiseach to which he did not respond?
I would prefer if we did not pursue the matter in this manner because, as my predecessors ruled, it does not make sense in the absence of having the details of the question.
It does not make sense for me to ask a question——
The Deputy can submit questions to the appropriate member of the Government.
I must disagree, but if that is what the Ceann Comhairle insists on——
It is in accordance with the rulings of my predecessors.
In respect of the interdepartmental committees on which the Department of the Taoiseach is represented and in light of the announcement on decentralisation——
Sorry, Deputy, but I have already ruled on this matter.
It is one point in respect of the committee on which the Department of the Taoiseach is represented. Only 33% of Departments have conferencing facilities. Officials in the Department of the Taoiseach must be in contact with other departmental teams dealing with issues of State and Departments. How does the Taoiseach propose that officials of his Department on interdepartmental teams will be able to conduct their business efficiently and professionally, given the inadequacy of the communication service?
The two main aspects of my Department's work are Northern Ireland and Europe. We engage at all times with our colleagues in Northern Ireland. My main people on the Northern Ireland aspect work there and have done so for many years and for successive Governments. It works very well. In regard to European affairs, we co-ordinate with our people in Brussels, who come home for some meetings. However, this is not a problem and communications on these issues are very good. I do not wish to disrespect any other groups but my best committees are those which are spread out. Therefore, the concern about whether the system will work under decentralisation is not an issue.
2 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Taoiseach his plans for decentralisation of any part of his Department or the bodies or agencies operating under the aegis of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30744/03]
Amharc ar fhreagra3 Mr. Kenny asked the Taoiseach his plans for the decentralisation of sections of his Department or bodies under his aegis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1037/04]
Amharc ar fhreagra4 Mr. Sargent asked the Taoiseach the implications of the Government's decentralisation plans for his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1287/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 2 to 4, inclusive, together.
There are no proposals to decentralise sections of my Department or bodies or agencies operating under its aegis. A significant part of the Central Statistics Office is already located in Cork.
Although it is unlikely to be announced before the local elections, will the Taoiseach confirm that a re-think of the decentralisation programme as announced is taking place?
These questions refer specifically to the Taoiseach's Department. The question of decentralisation is more appropriate to the Minister for Finance who has responsibility for it.
Does the Taoiseach acknowledge that his Department will inevitably be affected in the event of such a re-think? There is widespread dissatisfaction in the Civil Service, about which I presume the Taoiseach is aware.
Sorry, Deputy, that does not arise. I suggest you submit a question to the Minister for Finance.
Is that dissatisfaction represented in the Taoiseach's Department? What did he think of the "Follow me up to Carlow" interview by the Minister of State, Deputy Parlon?
The Deputy is going well outside the realm of Questions Nos. 2 to 4, inclusive.
The Taoiseach is the Head of Government and this is the first opportunity Members of the House have had to put questions to him on decentralisation.
The Standing Order is quite specific.
That is a time-honoured manner in which to frame a question to enable one to——
The Chair is obliged to implement Standing Orders. Members of the House complained yesterday that they did not have an opportunity to ask supplementary questions. If the time is taken up by asking supplementary questions which have no relationship to the questions submitted, we will not be able to conduct the business of the House.
A Cheann Comhairle, can you imagine what this looks like to a taxpayer outside the House?
I will not engage in a discussion with the Deputy. The questions refer specifically to the Taoiseach's Department.
This is the first opportunity we have had to put questions about a major decision such as the announcement on decentralisation to the Head of Government.
There are many opportunities such as Leaders' Questions.
The questions are precisely concerned with decentralisation as they relate to the Department of the Taoiseach and I merely ask if, as a component of the entire decentralisation programme, the matters I raise also reflect on that Department.
Is there resistance which is causing a re-think? Does the Taoiseach agree with the Minister of State, Deputy Parlon, that it is the case that only civil servants who move will get preferment? Does that affect the Taoiseach's Department? Does the Taoiseach believe the breaking up of the commission for the Civil and public service and devolving responsibility for recruitment to a local level is to be viewed in a new light in the context of decentralisation? Will the Taoiseach confirm there is a re-think in this area?
I point out again that the Deputy's question is one more appropriate to the Minister for Finance who has responsibility for this matter.
I am not sure what I can answer. However, I assure Deputy Rabbitte he is wrong in his information. There is no re-think. He is correct that my Department is not moving. I am not aware of dissatisfaction in my Department, but there are a substantial number of people in my Department who would like to move. There might be dissatisfaction on that basis, but staff have not told me so.
Dream on.
Close to 40 people in my Department, which is a small one, want to move. I am sure they are dissatisfied to some degree.
They are afraid they will be sent to Coventry.
I agree with the thrust of Deputy Rabbitte's questioning on this matter. After Deputy Parlon made his extraordinary——
Sorry, Deputy, I ask you to confine yourself to the three questions.
A Cheann Comhairle, you have not listened to what I have to say.
It is relevant to the questions.
The Minister for Finance, Deputy McCreevy, clarified that the Minister of State, Deputy Parlon, knew nothing about the decentralisation announcement nor had he or any other Minister hand, act or part in it. From questions put to other Departments under what is left of the Freedom of Information Act, there is no evidence that the Department of Agriculture and Food, Ordnance Survey Ireland or the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs had prior knowledge of the proposal. The Equality Authority received an e-mail on the day of the budget.
The question referred to the Taoiseach's Department.
Did the Taoiseach know that the Minister for Finance was considering a massive decentralisation programme?
That does not arise from this question. I suggest that you use Leaders' Questions if you want to ask the Taoiseach that question. Otherwise you should put a question to the appropriate Minister.
This question is in your interests, a Cheann Comhairle.
It does not arise. I call Deputy Sargent.
This is in your interest, a Cheann Comhairle. The Taoiseach has said that many of his staff would like to move. The answer from the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources is that 6.84% of the Department's staff say they would like to go to Cavan and 83.96% say they would not like to go there. The Taoiseach says many people in his Department would like to move. If a rethink is going on, would the Taoiseach consider that his Department should move to your constituency, Sir?
The Taoiseach should be from that constituency.
I call Deputy Sargent to ask a supplementary question to Questions Nos. 2 to 4.
A Cheann Comhairle, this is the first opportunity we have had to question the Government and you will not allow the Taoiseach to answer the question.
The Chair will not have its ruling challenged on the floor of the House.
You are making a farce of the House.
You, Deputy, submitted a question——
These are serious questions.
Of course they are serious questions and they should be taken seriously.
The Head of Government is here and you will not permit him to reply. You pass on to Deputy Sargent. What is the answer to the question?
Deputy Rabbitte, you will not challenge the ruling of the Chair.
Sir, I am afraid I have to when it is blatantly unfair.
The Chair is ruling in accordance with precedent in the House. Deputy Rabbitte submitted a question to the Taoiseach regarding plans for decentralisation of any part of his Department or of the bodies or agencies under its aegis and whether he would make a statement on the matter.
And you and the Taoiseach know why I submitted it.
You are entitled to ask supplementary questions related to the question you submitted.
Absolutely, and decentralisation is related to it.
You may not broaden your contribution to include questions which are appropriate to the Minister for Finance.
Since 1919 one can ask questions in this House that relate to the subject matter of the question submitted. One cannot encompass, in the framing of any question, every conceivable area of supplementary. It is entirely unreasonable of you, Sir, to rule out the possibility of Deputies asking questions about the decentralisation issue.
The Chair will not be challenged. The Deputy knows the Standing Order as well as the Chair. If you are not happy with the Standing Order I suggest you approach the Dáil reform committee.
I am not happy with the manner in which you are implementing it, Sir.
I call the Taoiseach.
In reply to Deputies Kenny and Rabbitte, I was fully involved in the process throughout. I was on the committee. The 36 people I mentioned in my Department are on the list for normal transfer. They are properly in the system and want to go to decentralised locations.
Do they want to go to Cavan?
The Opposition Deputies should not be against this measure. It is a good thing.
The Taoiseach talks about being on the committee and being involved in the decision regarding decentralisation. Did the Taoiseach remind his colleagues of the difficulties that related to the relocation of the Central Statistics Office to Cork in June 1991? It was a voluntary scheme and only 60, or 10%, of the former CSO Dublin staff agreed to move to Cork and volunteers had to be taken from other Departments to make up the numbers. This entailed considerable disruption and the move did not happen until 1994. Should the lessons of that episode not have been learnt? The upheaval affected statistics gathering and dissemination in the CSO.
Following the relocation, the training of new staff and additional requirements, how many CSO staff are still in Dublin and how many are in Cork? Was the Taoiseach surprised by the low take-up of the current scheme, given that the closure of accident and emergency services in Ennis hospital will affect people thinking of moving to Kilrush, for example? Does the Government not need to go back to the drawing board and consider real decentralisation rather than office relocation.
The first part of the Deputy's question is in order.
For as long as I have been a Deputy I have dealt with the issue of public servants in Dublin who want to get back to somewhere else in the country.
Not enough.
It has always been the case. I well remember 1991. It was the only previous large decentralisation programme and I administered it as Minister for Finance. I remember the arguments regarding the Central Statistics Office and the reasons for them. I am sure we will experience similar difficulties again. The CSO successfully moved to Cork and the vast majority of the 800 staff moved there. Some senior people, mainly because of age profile, will have difficulties.
This House has been clamouring for more decentralisation since before 1991.
Real decentralisation.
There is now a large body of public servants and members of public service unions who want to move. Some are concerned about how near they can move to their own homes or about clustering of locations. These issues are being considered within my Department but they have been dealt with successfully and will be dealt with in the future.
How many are in Dublin? There were 840 staff in the CSO.
The vast majority are in Cork.
In the context of the impact of the decentralisation proposal on the Taoiseach's Department and the Government's proposal to abolish the Civil Service Commission and the Local Appointments Commission and to give Secretaries General and private contractors the right to apply for recruitment licences and to recruit civil servants, does the Taoiseach propose that the Secretary General of his Department and the Secretary to the Government will apply for recruitment licences or will local contractors, maybe from Drumcondra, be recruiting for the Taoiseach's own Department?
I ask the Deputy to submit a question to the Taoiseach on that matter about his Department.
The question about localisation of recruitment and the abolition of the Civil Service Commission and the Local Appointments Commission is an integral part of decentralisation. That is stated in the memorandum.
We are dealing with Questions Nos. 2 to 4, inclusive. We are not dealing with general decentralisation.
I am asking the Taoiseach a legitimate supplementary question about the localisation of recruitment. I want to know what he is going to do.
That is a question specifically for the Minister for Finance.
It is part of decentralisation.
It does not arise out of Questions Nos. 2 to 4. I call Deputy Rabbitte.
Can I take it that the 36 people in the Taoiseach's Department who will use the transfer system to transfer out of his Department to locations of their choice will be replaced? Is the Taoiseach satisfied that they ought to be replaced under the terms now provided for in the Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Bill, whereby recruitment will be done locally and might be done by a private sector agency? Is the Taoiseach concerned that the renowned independence of the Civil Service and the fairness of recruitment to it will be damaged as a result of the arrangements proposed in the Bill? Is the Taoiseach worried that this will damage the effectiveness and traditional independence of the Civil Service? If that is multiplied 1,000 times throughout the country, are there not inherent dangers to the governance of the country in recruitment agencies being charged with recruitment to the public service?
That is specifically a question for the Minister for Finance.
I asked the Taoiseach this question in the context of the 36 people he said would be moving within his own Department. The Taoiseach is perfectly able to answer these questions without the Ceann Comhairle interfering to protect him. In respect of his Department, I suggest——
Deputy Rabbite, I ask you to withdraw the remark that the Chair is protecting the Taoiseach.
How else am I supposed to interpret it?
I ask you to withdraw the remark.
You should then let the Taoiseach answer the question.
The Chair is acting in accordance with Standing Orders. All my predecessors insisted that we stick to the questions submitted. I ask you to withdraw the remark that the Chair is protecting the Taoiseach.
I will withdraw the remark if you permit the Taoiseach to reply.
Some of your predecessors used to nod off occasionally.
I call Deputy Sargent. I will allow the question in so far as it affects the Department of the Taoiseach.
In so far as it affects my Department——
We cannot go on for the next three years of this Government with you ruling like this.
I ask you to resume your seat.
In so far as it affects my Department, the 36 people who would avail of the opportunities — they encompass all grades so I assume they would avail of opportunities — could well be replaced by people who do not want to move. It would be an interdepartmental transfer and would not automatically mean——
What if the recruitment was from outside?
If they were recruited from outside, the new procedures allow flexibility. While there was an easing last year because of the employment situation, in the case of my Department we had great difficulty with the length of time it takes to fill vacancies because of the procedures. The idea of the new procedures is that a Secretary General would be able to recruit directly into my Department. Obviously the protections that exist from the 1924 Act would have to be maintained.
A Cheann Comhairle, you have become very diligent at the start of the new session in implementing your predecessors' rulings. I do not want us to see a repeat of an occasion when former Deputy Paddy Harte spoke from these benches and addressed a Ceann Comhairle who snored away contentedly for about 20 minutes and precedent went by the board.
Does the Taoiseach know the grades of the 36 staff members who are willing to move from his Department? Are they principal officers, clerical officers and clerical assistants? Before the new Bill is implemented allowing Secretaries General to recruit locally, will these 36 people be offered equivalent positions in other locations throughout the country for which they might have a preference? I have referred to Cavan. The Tánaiste's Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, out of which she herself wishes to move, needs 250 people to go to Carlow to make it successful. However, only 69 out of 503 people surveyed are willing to make that move. Will the 36 staff members from the Department of the Taoiseach, be they in the categories of CA, CO, HEO, etc., be offered positions in Carlow or Cavan if they are willing to move there prior to implementation of the Secretaries General Bill allowing local recruitment?
Discerning civil servants would choose Cavan.
Deputies should allow the Taoiseach to answer the question.
According to my list there are people who want to move to Carlow and Cavan. As is always the case, if they had the opportunity, these people would be gone on Friday. They will not be concerned about the regulations under which this might happen so long as they are on the list for transfer. In each Department and agency there would be a substantial number of such people. In a Department that is being decentralised, there would be a change for those who do not want to move. This happens all the time. It is forever changing between Departments. There are regular vacancies, especially just below the senior levels. However, it is increasingly the case at senior levels that people are moving interdepartmentally, which is good.
A report in The Irish Times on 5 December gave a view from higher civil servants that the Departments of the Taoiseach and Finance would be the real beneficiaries of decentralisation, given that power would be concentrated in those Departments following the difficulties in the other eight Departments to be affected by the moves, which we covered when discussing the Central Statistics Office earlier. Does the Taoiseach agree that higher civil servants have some reason to complain given that they were stunned by the decentralisation announcement by the Minister for Finance, Deputy McCreevy, and suspect it is a stitch-up by the Departments of the Taoiseach and Finance to concentrate power?
I do not get into these hierarchical issues. However, when I look at it as a matter of interest, I always think the Department of Foreign Affairs believes it is the most powerful because it is spread across 40 countries.
It is mainly located outside the State.
The Taoiseach has indicated that the Secretary General of his Department is likely to apply for a recruitment licence to fill some of the vacancies that will arise as a result of the 36 people likely to move. Is the Taoiseach concerned about the impact this will have? This is a significant break with our tradition, which has existed since independence. It will go from centralised recruitment to the public service to localised recruitment via a Secretary General of a Department, especially one as powerful as the Department of the Taoiseach. Has the Taoiseach given detailed consideration to the impact of localising recruitment to the Secretary General of his Department and perhaps an outside recruitment agency? What impact is that likely to have on the justified reputation for probity of the Civil Service in recruitment? Is the Taoiseach not nervous that this kind of recruitment by the Secretary General will make people feel that, unfortunately, an inside track might develop regarding recruitment?
Does the Deputy have a question?
So far all parties when in Government have maintained public confidence in the integrity of the Civil Service recruitment system.
I can take this question in reference to my Department. It would be the same anywhere. If the Deputy is asking whether the independence and probity of the Civil Service should be maintained, I agree with that and that should be enshrined in the legislation. I have no difficulty with that. However, the Deputy should look beyond that issue. The same standards in recruitment will be required in my Department.
Under the present system, the Department of the Taoiseach might seek to recruit someone for the European division. On his or her first day, a person might be sent by the Civil Service Commission to the Department of the Taoiseach. He or she might be interested in and have considerable knowledge of education, and he or she might have come from a household where education was the major issue. His or her parents might have been teachers. While the person might want to be in the Department of Education and Science, he or she is sent to the European division of my Department. The system that has been in place for years is not a good match.
In this case, at least at local level, the powers of recruitment are given to the Department. This takes nothing away from the standards, probity and independence, but it is common sense. In my Department I imagine it will be a matter for the civil servants to work it out. They would obviously want to interview the people.
In semi-State bodies like IDA Ireland, VHI and the Environmental Protection Agency, recruitment agencies are used and have been since the establishment of these agencies. I do not imagine the Deputy suggests that people recruited to these bodies, because they came through agencies, are unfit to sign the Official Secrets Act or other legislation.
The sense of this is updating the 1924 legislation. What was good in 1924 may have been very good in 1974, but it does not mean it is still good in 2004. This legislation has been carefully examined. Clearly it will have to be approved and go through the procedures. I do not try to detract from the point the Deputy makes about independence and probity. I have no argument that it should be the case. That said, we need to get away from the idea that, on recruitment, a public servant is sent to the last place he or she wants to be and told to make a career there until there is an opportunity to get out.
That is why we lose so many young people and what is wrong with the system. We need to change it so that people have an opportunity. If somebody wants to be in the Department of the Taoiseach, he or she should be located there. If someone does not want to have sight of Government Buildings or anything to do with it, he or she should have an opportunity to go elsewhere. Those with an interest in environmental or educational issues should be allowed to work in those areas. Let us not try to closet people into a system that was made for another generation.
I will take two brief final questions from Deputies Rabbitte and Burton and we will then move on to the next question.
Is there not a definite risk of placing every Member of the House in a position where they will be at the behest of people making representations to them to be recruited to the Civil Service or the public service? Will the traditional independence and probity of the recruitment procedures relating to the Civil Service not be at risk if we go down the road of decentralising them and permitting outside recruitment agencies, etc., to adjudicate on people being recruited to the service?
In terms of the chances of the 36 people in the Taoiseach's Department, does the Taoiseach believe that the Minister of State, Deputy Parlon, articulated matters correctly when he stated that resistance in the Civil Service will abate as soon as the evenings grow longer, at which time civil servants will become more likely to travel outside Dublin? Does the Taoiseach deny that matters have been reconsidered? I refer, in particular, to the Tánaiste's remarks on 17 January when a newspaper article stated that she had hinted at a relocation rethink? Does that refer only to the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment?
The Deputy has already asked that question and it has been answered.
Perhaps the Tánaiste knows the real story about relocating.
The Deputy is taking a great interest in everything I say. I will send him all my scripts from now on.
I am indebted to the Tánaiste.
Will she be sending them from Boston or Berlin?
Both.
Will the Taoiseach elaborate on his comment that the reason for the localisation of recruitment is perhaps that inappropriate people are allocated——
That matter does not really arise out of the three questions originally tabled. The Chair allowed questions because the Taoiseach referred to the matter earlier.
I am asking a question as a consequence of the interesting answer the Taoiseach gave. Why is it not possible, within an independent Civil Service recruitment process as opposed to a localised process to introduce a system whereby candidates could indicate their preferences in terms of the Departments in which they would be interested in serving?
I suggest that the Deputy submit that question to the Minister for Finance.
That would provide a simple solution.
The Civil Service Commission has always been perceived as being impartial in terms of the way it does its business. I accept part of what the Taoiseach said about not wanting to closet people into systems. In that context, does he agree with the action by the Minister for Finance which will mean that, regardless of whether he or she joins by local or central recruitment agencies, a person joining the Civil Service at 17 will have to work for 47 years before he or she qualifies for pension rights? Is that not closeting people into a system?
That issue does not arise. It is a matter for the Minister for Finance.
It is a matter for the Taoiseach who does not want to closet people into a system.
The current pension age is 65 or people can retire after 40 years service. There is no change in that. I am sure that all the Civil Service Commission's good standards of probity will be maintained. It has been the rule for many decades, perhaps since 1924 but certainly since I started dealing with people in the public service in the early 1970s, that one is not allowed make written representations on behalf of a person in a recruitment process. That will remain the same. If such representations are made, one is automatically disqualified.
This is Ireland.
It is a strict rule of the Civil Service Commission and of the Departments.
How can we rely on private recruitment agencies to observe that rule?
Allow the Taoiseach to speak without interruption.
Does the Deputy believe that is what is being done by State companies at present? What I have outlined is the way the system operates. The Civil Service is stricter and will continue to be so.
With regard to decentralisation in my Department, the reality is that some people would like to get out of Dublin city next Friday while others would not like to leave it for the next 50 years. With large numbers of staff, we must do our best to facilitate everyone. We have done it before and we can do it again.
Opinions are put to me concerning the level of congestion in the city, high house prices and the fact that we should be engaging in greater regionalisation. In this case, that is what we are doing. The State is taking the lead in moving people into the regions to try to better develop the country. We have a population of 4 million, 2 million of whom live in Leinster and the greater Dublin area. We are trying to change that and I would have thought that everybody involved in the political process would see the advantage of doing so. If we are successful, we will no longer be obliged to divide counties, etc., as happens in certain reviews. It is the way we should try to develop Ireland over the next 20 or 30 years. Unfortunately, those years will pass quickly. We must start somewhere and do so in a determined way.
We will have to wait 30 years for the release of State papers relating to the present to discover what the Government is doing.
Ten thousand people will be moved out of Dublin. It will take time to do so and structures and people's mentalities will have to be changed. It will happen and will be a good thing for the Civil Service.
As there are only a few minutes remaining, it would be better to proceed to the next business rather than dealing with the next question.
We would do a disservice to the Barron report if we were to try to cramp questions on it into the remaining minute. I regret that I must agree with the Ceann Comhairle for once.
That is the peace process at work.
