Dáil debates

Tuesday, 11 October 2011

2:00 pm

Photo of Billy KelleherBilly Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 49: To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the reason the Cabinet Sub Committee on public sector reform which was established in April 2011 has had only one meeting since its establishment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28516/11]

Photo of Brendan HowlinBrendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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The Cabinet sub-committee on public service reform, which is chaired by the Taoiseach and convened by me, held its first meeting on 13 July and is scheduled to meet again on 26 October. I remind Deputies that my Department was only formally established on 6 July this year. It is envisaged that the Cabinet sub-committee will meet regularly as the reform programme is implemented over the lifetime of the Government to ensure progress is being made on the reform agenda.

Cabinet sub-committees such as this are subject to the normal confidentiality that applies to Cabinet and, as such, I cannot discuss the contents of the agenda or what is discussed at the meetings. In light of these constitutional provisions, the well-established precedent in regard to questions on Cabinet sub-committees is to answer only matters of a factual nature. I can say, however, that implementation of the public service reform programme is a priority for the Government, as the creation of my Department clearly shows. Detailed implementation plans are being developed which encompass the commitments to reform in the programme for Government and priority areas from the existing Transforming Public Services programme. In the last two months my officials have been meeting with all Departments and major offices to identify their priorities and the challenges they foresee in bringing about the reform programme. This will assist us in deciding how best to deliver reform in a co-ordinated and integrated way.

Photo of Seán FlemingSeán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I am disappointed by the information presented by the Minister today. This Government has been in office for eight months, but the Cabinet sub-committee on public sector reform has met only once since its establishment in April. The Minister indicated - possibly prompted by this question - that another meeting will take place towards the end of the month. I do not accept that the Minister could not have dealt with this issue in a more timely fashion. That his Department was not legally established until July does not mean he was not a member of the Cabinet since the establishment of the Government and responsible for public sector reform from the beginning. There seems to be some amount of heel-dragging in this matter.

I recall a reference by the Minister at a recent meeting of the Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform to various presentations that were made by different people and organisations on this issue. He indicated at the meeting that it might be beneficial for the committee and the Oireachtas to have access to some of the key presentations so we could see what is involved in the process. I am not talking about breaching Cabinet confidentiality. I do not know who made these presentations, but it might be helpful to the Oireachtas to have access to their content.

Photo of Brendan HowlinBrendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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I have before me in large bold letters a reminder of the confidentiality of these discussions, which are protected under Cabinet privilege. Perhaps I was too expansive when I spoke to the committee about these matters. I assure the Deputy that I am committed to reform. We will undertake more reform in the lifetime of this Government than has happened in a generation. I would like the opportunity to present the elements of our considerations - because people would engage with it - to the Oireachtas committee, and I will do so as soon as the deliberative process at Cabinet is completed. I hope that will be shortly after the next Cabinet sub-committee meeting.

Photo of Seán FlemingSeán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I look forward to the Minister coming before the committee. It comprises more than 20 members and the meeting will take place in public.

Photo of Brendan HowlinBrendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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The committee is open to all Oireachtas Members.

Photo of Seán FlemingSeán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Yes, it is an open forum. I also welcome the Minister's indication that this discussion will take place in advance of the budget. The deliberative process on this matter is not connected with the budget in December, because these issues are ongoing and not restricted to a particular budget. I look forward to the discussions.