Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

The co-ordinating role in the Department of the Taoiseach across a range of Government policies must continue. The question of how we can do that most effectively and efficiently is the issue under consideration. However, it does not absolve the Taoiseach of the responsibilities of the office or the Department of its efforts to service the requirements of a Taoiseach and ensure that it has the expertise and people available to assist the Taoiseach in reaching points of view and contributing to the debate that goes on across the Government on a range of issues.

I have established a Cabinet committee on public service modernisation and transforming public services, and I chair that committee. It is important that the authority of the Taoiseach be behind that effort. It is an ongoing effort and it is part of the discussions that are taking place at present. The Secretary General of the Department of Finance has various responsibilities, including that which relates to the public service. There would also be people attending to ensure that the overall co-ordinating role of the Department of the Taoiseach is understood, stated and seen in that context.

People refer to overlaps, but there are complementary roles to be played here. There is expertise in both Departments which must be used co-operatively on an ongoing basis in order that all the perspectives might be brought to bear in the context of how management can seek to advance the necessary agenda that is under discussion at present.

See this speech in context