Ossian Smyth (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I agree it is unfortunate if we produce guidelines that do not produce the correct outcomes. However, the OGP's function and powers are not to direct Departments in how to do things. It provides the information and the guidance, but the decision that something must be done in a Department is one taken by Government. If the Government wants to direct that every Department must buy electric vehicles from now on that decision must come from Cabinet, and that particular decision has done. Many of those decisions are appearing in the climate action plan. They are all enumerated and included are things that must be done as they are commands to public sector bodies. The OGP, unfortunately, is not a police force. It is not a policy-making body in that it cannot order Departments. It can provide the direction and the guidance and that is why all these guidance things come out. Another thing it can do is provide data and show to what extent we are greening our procurement. Then I guess it is the function of the Comptroller and Auditor General to ensure public sector bodies are complying with the guidance that has been supplied by the OGP.

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