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

303. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding the commitment in the programme for Government to end the unacceptable practice of not keeping a record of ministerial involvement in an issue and the resulting decisions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12699/15]

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

The Programme for Government contains a number of commitments focused on delivering greater Civil Service accountability including that of keeping a record of Ministerial involvement with an issue and resulting decisions.   

The Civil Service Renewal Plan, which integrated the recommendations of the Independent Panel on Strengthening Civil Service Accountability and Performance, outlines the practical changes that will create a more unified, professional, responsive, open and accountable Civil Service.  These changes include publication of "who does what" and setting a common governance standard in order to strengthen corporate governance in the Civil Service in line with international best practice.  

A Corporate Governance Standard for Government Departments is currently being developed under the auspices of the Civil Service Management Board which is driving the implementation of the Renewal Plan.  This will require each Government Department to produce a governance framework.  This framework will also set out the Department's standards of conduct, values and principle of good governance by which it operates.  This will include the formal processes and mechanisms for documenting decisions made within the Department including those considered by the Minister(s).   

A Governance Framework will also formalise the role of the Management Board in Departments, and support greater ministerial and managerial interaction in jointly and regularly reviewing priorities and performance supported.  It will also mean introducing a single governance standard for all Management Boards, and establishing an assessment for all Boards to measure delivery and performance.  

This work is a practical measure consistent with our Government reform programme which would be expected to meet the objective reflected in the relevant commitment in the Programme for Government.