Public sector reform should start at the top

PUBLIC sector reform should start at the top, ie, the Government itself. The Taoiseach should cut the total number of cabinet ministers to seven as part of the changes now forced by events.

It would show real top-level commitment to public sector reform, something to which the Taoiseach and Minister for Finance claim to be committed.

This does not need a change in the constitution, which fixes the size of the cabinet as follows: “The Government shall consist of not less than seven and not more than 15 members who shall be appointed by the President in accordance with the provisions of this constitution.”

Ministerial responsibilities can be recast with ministers of state being given more meaningful responsibilities.

Such a concentration of power in fewer people needs to be counter-balanced by new checks on the use of power by the executive, eg, extending the Freedom of Information Act, more powers and resources to all bodies trying to make the powerful fully account for their actions and inactions (Oireachtas committees, ombudsman offices), with much improved people management and financial/budget processes within the public sector.

Donal O’Brolcháin

Griffith Avenue

Dublin 9