Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

The report of the task force on the public service identified a range of actions that will require enabling statutory provision. It is likely, however, that as the report's recommendations are implemented, the case for further legislative provision will arise. The forthcoming White Paper on local government will also necessitate new legislation, which may provide an opportune vehicle for some of the changes proposed by the task force.

The actions include an obligation on Departments to review the mandates of State bodies at five-year intervals; changes in the reporting requirements of State agencies; the reorganisation, merger or abolition of State agencies; the removal of barriers to staff mobility and redeployment; the reinforcement, if necessary, of the county level, or groups of counties, as the basis for planning and service delivery; to enhance the powers of local government and other bodies to lead, co-ordinate or deliver services on behalf of other agencies; the possible formal delegation of financial and other responsibilities to public service managers — this would include the delegation of financial authority, responsibility and associated accountability to the lowest feasible level; and the requirement to produce an annual report on the state of the public service. The implementation phase, as the Deputy knows, commences immediately and will be overseen by a Cabinet committee, chaired by me, which will be considering the legislative provisions required in due course.

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