Sean Barrett (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Two former senior civil servants, John Lumsden and Pat Mangan, wrote strongly in the latest edition of The Sunday Business Post about the need for Civil Service reform saying,

It is important to foster a culture in Departments that questions conventional wisdom. Officials should be encouraged to act as effective devil's advocates and this role should be positively reflected in their performance reviews...If we continue with our existing arrangements, absolute clarity as to the role and accountability of senior civil servants in Ireland will remain elusive. We worked with many Ministers of various political parties and, with one or two exceptions, they showed little interest in reforming their Departments of the wider Civil Service. This must change."

These are major issues. There is a feeling that we have lost momentum and I ask that the important issues raised by the two former assistant secretaries be debated in the House and that the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform update us on the need for urgent reform in this area. Political change took place overwhelmingly last year but one is afraid the permanent government has not been reformed and an impetus from this House would be important to secure that goal.