Public Service Reform Plan 2014-2016

2.4 A Focus on Openness, Transparency and Accountability

Since 2011, considerable progress has been made in implementing the Government’s programme of legislative and political reforms. Alongside the continued implementation of this work, further opportunities for strengthening these reforms will be identified.
Since 2011, considerable progress has been made in implementing the Government’s programme of legislative and political reforms.

2.4.1 Government Reform

The Government Reform Unit (GRU) of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform will continue to focus on delivering open, transparent, accountable and ethical public governance arrangements in Ireland for both the operation of Government and the Public Service. The aim is to help re-build trust in Government and in the institutions of State and to promote a transparent, efficient and effective administrative system and public institutions.

The Government Reform programme will be underpinned by:
  • introduction and implementation of lobbying regulation;
  • enactment and implementation of a reformed Freedom of Information (FOI) Act and a new code of practice for FOI for public bodies;
  • participation in the Open Government Partnership;
  • enactment and implementation of legislation to protect Whistleblowers;
  • the continuation of the comprehensive programme of Statute Law revision; and
  • further strengthening of the ethical framework for office holders and public servants underpinned by legislation.
Robust and effective accountability systems are an essential characteristic of high-performing and high-reputation organisations.
Following the Programme for Government commitments to examine changes to the current legislative framework governing Civil Service accountability, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform has published a consultation paper focused on options for strengthening Civil Service accountability and performance. Robust and effective accountability systems are an essential characteristic of high-performing and high-reputation organisations. In a complex, diverse and multi-faceted organisation such as the Civil Service where there is a unique interplay between the role of a Minister and that of the Civil Service, a comprehensive framework of who is accountable to whom for what is considered integral to more effective Civil Service performance.
Clearer accountability frameworks will support performance improvement, a clearer delineation of responsibilities, stronger systems for ownership of outputs and for securing robust and transparent performance measurement.
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Critical to the success of the overall reform effort is the ability of the public to have access to information on the activities of Government. The reform of the Freedom of Information (FOI) legislation is one of the key measures aimed at ensuring that this access is secured to the greatest possible extent. The changes being introduced underpin efforts to rebuild public trust in the State and to enhance public governance through a significant strengthening of openness, transparency and accountability of government and public administration. In support of the legislative changes, a Code of Practice is being developed to assist all public bodies subject to the new Act to enhance their capacity and procedures for dealing effectively and efficiently with FOI requests.

In addition, participation in the Open Government Partnership provides an important international complement to national reform efforts as the Open Government Partnership provides an international platform for countries committed to making their governments more open, accountable, and responsive to citizens. Through the Open Government Partnership, governments and civil society groups can work together to develop and implement ambitious reforms.

Another major element of the reform programme is the comprehensive updating of the statutory framework governing standards in public office. A major project being progressed is the development of an integrated Ethics Bill which will consolidate, modernise and simplify the existing legislative framework. The end result will be a much improved anti-corruption system in relation to ethics matters, which will both control and regulate conflicts of interest in public life in Ireland.

The intention behind this suite of Government reforms is to strengthen the democratic role of individual citizens by enabling them to see more clearly how the institutions of the State operate and to ensure that their rights are protected in all their dealings with the State.

The public will be able to gain greater insights into the formulation of policy including identification of the sectors and organisations which seek to influence both Government and key public service decision makers. Citizens will be able to see more clearly how decisions are made, whether they relate to broad macro-economic or social issues or to decisions affecting the rights and entitlements of the individual, thus empowering them in contributing more effectively to the democratic process.
The intention behind this suite of Government reforms is to strengthen the democratic role of individual citizens by enabling them to see more clearly how the institutions of the State operate and to ensure that their rights are protected in all their dealings with the State.
Improved public governance can make an important contribution to restoring Ireland’s international reputation and underpinning the achievement of the economy’s growth potential on a sustainable basis.
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