Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I am confident that these discussions will result in a new dynamic for progress and transformation. Against that background, I have decided to give a strengthened emphasis to the direction and leadership of change in the public service. I propose to appoint Deputy Calleary to be Minister of State at my own Department and at the Department of Finance, in addition to his responsibility for labour affairs, to strengthen the political leadership of the change process under the direction of the Cabinet committee on public service transformation, which I chair. To support this work on a public service-wide basis and to bring greater focus and energy to the task of public service transformation, the Government will appoint a public service board, including members from outside the public service with appropriate experience and skills.

See this speech in context