Senior civil servants ‘should be forced to reapply for their jobs after election’

SENIOR managers in government departments should be forced to reapply for their jobs when a new administration comes into place — as they too have to shoulder some blame for the economic crisis.

This is according to businessman Leslie Buckley who said that, with a new government due in a few months time, he proposes that senior civil servants re-apply for their jobs.

“They, after all, helped to implement the various decisions that led to the economic crisis,” he said.

He said there needs to be an overhaul of the political system as a matter of urgency. “We need to encourage more young, very capable candidates who are hungry for change to run for office and make those changes.”

The businessman, who sits on the boards of Aer Lingus and Independent News and Media, also said the Seanad should be abolished as it serves “no useful purpose at this stage”.

“We have no option but to bring our public service back to the levels that can be sustainable,” he said.

Mr Buckley said there are too many Government bodies which cost money.

He was speaking at the first Cork Chamber business breakfast, in association with the Irish Examiner, of 2011. It was a poignant day for Mr Buckley given that it was the first anniversary of the earthquake in Haiti.

Mr Buckley runs a housebuilding charity in Haiti called Haven. He spoke of the charity’s work in Haiti while also outlining what the Irish government can do to help this country out of the downturn.

He said there is “huge scope” for reform in the public sector.

“There is no doubt that there are many dedicated public servants here in Ireland who deliver an absolutely excellent service. However, it must also be said that there are many in the service delivery levels and management levels that are not performing to the standard that a modern, efficient system should be.”

He said the delivery of the public service sector in Ireland is proving “very costly and inefficient”.

“We must implement a new benchmarking to address pay for public servants,” he said. “If we are to stand independently as a modern economy, tough decisions must be made and implemented. We don’t need to depend on poor performing politicians, we need to rely on ourselves,” he added.

Mr Buckley is known as the right-hand man of Denis O’Brien and is the chairman of SaonGroup.

He also had some wise words for the 125 business people in the room: “Failure is nothing to be afraid of, at least you know for certain that you tried.”