Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

278. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he has brought in new guidelines to allow for a record to be kept of ministerial involvement with an issue and any decisions taken as per the commitment made in the programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30044/13]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Programme for Government contains a number of commitments, including that referred to in the Deputy’s question, to ensure that there is legal clarity and certainty regarding the legal relationship between Ministers and their civil servants and the appropriate accountabilities that apply in each case. As I have previously informed the House, my Department carried out a review of the existing accountability framework for ministers and civil servants set out in the Ministers and Secretaries Acts and the Public Service Management Act, 1997. A consultation paper based on the outcome of that review is currently being finalised.

The case for guidelines in relation to the documentation of decision making can be assessed in the context of the process following the publication of the consultation paper.