Brendan Ryan (Dublin North, Labour)
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The Ministers mentioned working with the committee towards progressing towards a New Zealand model for the 2016 Estimates. Will the Department be in a position to consult with the committee and its staff on specific details of any measures proposed for inclusion in those Estimates before the Estimate is finalised?

In regard to the reference made to the Department having to hear the view of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, our understanding from its feedback to us is that the New Zealand model is very much in accordance with the public service reform plan and quite consistent with it. What this committee hopes is that we can agree a process today for working together towards that model in the lead-up to the Estimates, rather than waiting for the Estimates to arrive and being dissatisfied with the result. We can achieve better outcomes if we work together as a committee with the Department in order to achieve our objectives.