Michelle Mulherin (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister. I also welcome the opportunity to discuss the way in which we monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of public bodies as they carry out their work so that we can be assured that they do not operate in splendid isolation.It is good to have this debate as it affords the Minister an opportunity to clarify the matter. Accountability and transparency are the basis of democracy, a state we strive for all of the time. Without a doubt we have some of the brightest and most talented people in the country working in the public service and Civil Service. It is the responsibility of Parliament and Government to ensure that the framework in which public and civil servants operate is as efficient and effective as possible. We must also bear in mind the objectives of legislation pursuant to which the services were set up, which is generally to serve the public interest.

It is worth highlighting that a lot of steps have been taken towards the objective that Senator Ó Céidigh seeks to achieve. In 2011, the Government undertook an agency rationalisation programme and as a result, we have approximately 176 fewer public bodies. The initiative has resulted in savings to the Exchequer and reviewed the manner in which many of these bodies operated. There are plans to consider other amalgamations or mergers such as the Valuation Office, the Property Registration Authority and Ordnance Survey Ireland to form Tailte Éireann. Similarly, the Office of the Pensions Ombudsman is due to be absorbed into the Financial Services Ombudsman. A review takes times but one does not want to throw the baby out with the bath water.

It is worth highlighting another aspect of these agencies. While there has been a programme of reduction, mergers and rationalisation - and the Minister can correct me if I am wrong - notwithstanding that the agencies have been merged, the functions for which they were set up continue and are still deemed relevant. It is just that agencies that have been merged with another agency must pursue economies of scale where they can, as pointed out by Senator McDowell, avail of common services such as human resources, IT, etc. These agencies may no longer exist on their own but they are still necessary. It is not a case that the reason for their establishment has become obsolete. If there is an exception then the Minister can clarify the matter for me.

This Bill has not necessarily been accepted by the Government. A revised code of practice for State bodies was launched in August 2016. The code complements standard reporting and performance requirements. It also confers responsibility on Ministers and Department to ensure bodies carry out their functions effectively. We have also witnessed increased activity by Oireachtas committees. That means there has been greater scrutiny of the public bodies under their remit which is welcome. The tenet and spirit of what is sought to be achieved by the Bill is agreeable but the approach is not necessarily acceptable as there are measures in place. I presume everyone would like to see how those measures pan out. We hope that they will give us effective scrutiny.

The code of practice is aimed at securing improvements in accountability and effectiveness while analysing the case for consolidation through a broader examination of changes in the external environment. Importantly, the code also includes a requirement that bodies are subject to a review on a five-year basis. These periodical critical reviews already reflect the essence of the public bodies review agency proposed by the Bill before Members. It requires Departments to review State bodies under their aegis every five years to ensure there is an ongoing business case for their existence and that bodies perform effectively. As I have said previously, this is a prudent approach, as opposed to rushing to set up another quango.

I am aware that politicians are fallible but accountability lies with and the buck stops with Ministers. That is why I think that the work of Oireachtas committees and the responsibility of Ministers should not be unduly outsourced to public bodies or agencies. That is important and I want direct-line democracy. My general disposition is not towards setting up new public bodies but trying to improve the existing system of democratic accountability. I understand it is envisioned that it would be met through the Departments and the Minister.

I look forward to hearing the Minister's response and the contributions of other Senators.