Ann Ormonde (Fianna Fail)

That said, public servants must be challenged. They know that any reform must come from within. In all walks of life, they are well able to examine how best to make changes to develop the country's future, to get more effective use out of information and communications technology, to improve the way in which management does its business and to make effective use of resources and technology. Transforming the public service is what is at stake. That is a key concern. It is about doing more for less, the advice I give to all. It is not always about money but about better outcomes, managing our resources and dealing with customers, personnel and projects. It is about pushing ourselves to our limits, something we have not been doing, and I am first to take the blame because I became lazy. There are times when we all decide to get somebody else in to do a job for us rather than do the thinking ourselves. We must start again in this regard. Ireland is one of the best countries in the European Union. Its people rose to the challenge when they had to and will rise again. We must start at the core with the transformation of the public service.

The report publishes findings on the following bodies: the Department of Health and Children, the Central Statistics Office, the Revenue Commissioners and the Property Registration Authority. There is a weakness in the operation of the HSE, to which the Minister of State referred. The report concludes that the Department of Health and Children had not succeeded in clarifying its roles and responsibilities in this area. The HSE was established in 2005, but the transformation to the new concept from the original health boards took time. I am not convinced that the HSE marks the way forward, but we cannot return to the health boards. The concept behind the HSE may have to be looked at again and the adoption of a regional focus might be the way forward. There are too many pitfalls in the HSE, as constituted. Even though the executive was established in 2005, the Department of Health and Children still has a staff complement of 433, most of whom have no clear picture of what their role is or who is their customer. It is not that they do not want to work. They are fine and terrific people with great brain power who face great challenges. However, too many of them are doing the same jobs and the organisation of work has not been streamlined. That must be examined and the impetus must come from within. In that regard, I ask each Department to look at itself and provide an action plan in order that each produces changes by examining work practices, seeking efficiencies and having an overall vision. That is the only way forward and I have no doubt it would greatly improve morale.

The report makes it clear that a substantial change such as the establishment of the HSE cannot happen overnight. I agree. It is a journey which requires many changes within an organisation. People had fixed minds heretofore regarding work practices, but things must change for the future. Society has changed drastically in the past three years. We are going back to community orientation, having primary care services and dealing with local issues. There is decentralisation, although it may not be decentralisation as we understand the term. There is a lack of leadership at middle management level, but change is happening. I am glad the Government is committed to the process but I am concerned about the timespan involved. Given the methodology used, how long does it take to conduct interviews and surveys and produce an action plan suggesting improvements for the future?

I wish all organisations and Departments well in the transformation of the public service. More than anything else, we need excellence in the civil and public service. The workers are the ones who will make this happen and make Ireland the best country in the European Union. That is the way forward and I wish all concerned every success.