Public sector standards - Foreplay has gone on for long enough

These are not good days for those who argue that high standards of accountability and professionalism are the norm in the public sector.

Regrettably, two reports, and some cameo moments, make it impossible to apply the see-no-evil, hear-no-evil dodge that preserves the peace in what passes for social cohesion in this stratified Republic. The reports also shows the rating system for public employees, where the great majority were awarded one of the two highest grades for the self-serving, feather-bedding swizz it was.

Though there has been some change in management at Tallaght Hospital — €180m a year from the State — and though the staff are probably caring and committed, the issues raised in yesterday’s Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa) report are utterly unacceptable. In a society that recognised public morality, the report would provoke resignations in the hospital, the HSE, and among those Department of Health civil servants responsible for regulatory supervision. Some of those mandarins may suggest they are not culpable but if they aren’t, who is? And if they are not, what are they for?