Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the opportunity to speak about this Bill. I have enormous regard for the public sector and those who work in it, with whom I have had the privilege and honour of serving in my teaching days and while I have been a public representative. There is an extraordinary level of commitment across the public sector, ranging from An Garda Síochána to the health service, as well as many others. I have huge admiration for those who work in the public sector.

I welcome the Bill which is timely. As a Parliament, a Government and elected Members, we should never ever cease in our efforts to strengthen further the public's trust in public administration. There is no doubt that its trust has taken a hammering during the decades on a number of levels. There has been a focus, particularly on the political side, on how politicians have been seen to be corrupt.

Everybody has been tarred with the same brush, which is most regrettable. We must do more and work harder to strengthen the public trust in public administration and to make it real and more tangible for the public.

I welcome the focus the legislation provides to direct our attention on this matter but not just in terms of corruption which I wish to move away from. I also welcome the move to encourage self-declaration on a more regular basis for all public service officials, elected and otherwise. That will be done by means of enhanced IT systems. That is a most welcome, proactive and progressive step to try to get where we want and continually to reassure people that we are not all corrupt and that people are dedicated and genuinely working to give a real service to the public. It is an honour to serve the public in any role, elected or otherwise.

I also welcome the more proactive role of the proposed public sector standards commissioner. I spoke in the House previously in the context of the recent television programme. At the time I said I did not want to see the establishment of another quango but I appreciate that it is a case of replacing one body with another one which is more proactive. The legislation does not allow the Standards in Public Office Commission, SIPO, to be as proactive as it could be. It is more of a reactive organisation. That is not a criticism; it is fair comment.

Recently, there was severe flooding in west Cork and all over the country. That provided us with an example of excellent public service and the public sector at its very best. Local authority members in particular and so many others were superb and went way beyond the call of duty. They were out in atrocious conditions at all hours. That was real public service and it was appreciated by the public. We can be very proud of that.

The aim of the Bill is to strengthen public trust in public administration. In trying to bring about more accountability and transparency we must look a bit further because when one teases out conflicts of interest there are many more conflicts of interest that erode people’s perception of the public sector. Not enough managers and people with responsibility in the public sector, who have accordingly large pay packets, speak out and are accountable. We, the political class, act as the buffer between the public sector and management. That is evident at local authority level with councillors. We rarely hear county managers answering tough questions on radio or television by the media. I accept they answer to the elected members in the local authority. Neither do we see those responsible for roads or the health service coming out often enough, for example, to respond to questions on the trolley crisis. It is always the Minister who is wheeled out before the camera to answer the questions. If we are to enjoy enhanced accountability and transparency within the public sector we must see more accountability from management. Managers should be more accountable and give more answers to the people. Media appearances are one of the best ways of doing that. I would welcome that as a step towards strengthening public trust in public administration and not just leave it to the political class, local mayors and the Government of the day to answer questions.

In the context of conflicts of interest and at a time when we seek increased accountability and transparency I am confused by the role of unions within the public sector. Managers say they cannot do certain things because of unions. In effect, unions are taking a role in management. That is an area that requires examination if we are to strengthen public trust in public administration and to provide enhanced accountability. The situation must be more transparent. In my time as a public representative I have come across many examples. The Minister, Deputy Howlin, was a former trade union official. I accept that unions have a role.

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