The public service - A radical but timely intervention

LAST Friday John McGuinness, a Department of Enterprise junior minister made what was by the conservative and often head-in-the-sand nature of our public discourse, a radical speech.

As he is a senior government figure “radical” might not quiet cover it; inflammatory or even subversive might be more apt.

Indeed, it is hard to recall a speech by a senior government politician that so challenged a powerful interest group. What did he do? What did he say that was so dangerous, so challenging?

He criticised the public service, saying it was “so protected by its unions that it has largely become a reactionary, inert mass at the centre of our economy”.

“There can be no equality... where a significant number of those who spend public money enjoy wages and conditions far more favourable than those who create wealth... The public service continues to employ more and more people who are almost impossible to let go and who will... get inflation-proof salaries and pensions.” He also called for redundancies.

In other words, he said what nearly everyone outside the public service concluded long ago. He did no more than express a view that is strongly held, widespread and one that will have to be either denied or acted on sooner or later. And what was his thanks for sticking his head above the parapet? For raising a taboo issue? For trying to show leadership?

He was hung out to dry. Rather than welcome a robust contribution to an evolving debate, his concerns were dismissed by his government with the usual coup de grace. We were told his views were “personal”.

Emboldened, the Civil and Public Services Union was “outraged” and said it would “be looking for a meeting with the Tánaiste about it”. Presumably to insist on a slap on the wrist for Mr McGuinness for speaking his mind. The CPSU can be outraged if it wishes but it is outrageous that it should try to control the debate, dictating what may or may not be discussed.

Pathetically, Labour elbowed its way onto the bandwagon to join the kneejerkers’ chorus.

Certainly, the usual voices will try to disagree with Mr McGuinness, maybe saying we spend a smaller proportion of our income on public services than other countries do, or suggesting that we have fewer public servants per capita than most EU countries.

It is of course possible that Mr McGuinness is wrong. It is possible that the civil service is an efficient meritocracy where promotions are decided on ability not length of service. That the public service — remember, this includes the HSE — is accountable and gives value for money. It is indeed possible that the public service unions are more than protectionist cabals insulated from the world around them. It is indeed possible that the public service is a hotbed of innovation and creativity. It is even possible that every public servant is more or less qualified and suited to the permanent job they enjoy.

Our society is at a point similar to the one that greeted Margaret Thatcher when she entered Downing Street nearly 30 years ago. Our economy is struggling and public service union power is disproportionate. Do we really have to wait for a response as draconian, inhuman and uncompromising as Mrs Thatcher’s to face up to these realities? If we do, we will all regret it deeply, especially the vast majority of public servants who actually want to serve the community they live in. As Mr McGuinness pointed out, we cannot defer this debate any longer.