Where does the buck stop? Justice review

“The buck stops here” is a phrase popularised by Harry Truman, who kept a sign with that phrase on his desk in the Oval Office. It was a signal to others that the holder of the office takes full responsibility for decisions of government.

An expert group examining issues within the Department of Justice made an oblique reference to the phrase when they criticised its way of operating, saying: “It is as if the system has naturally evolved to ensure that the buck stops nowhere.”

That does not mean that heads haven’t rolled. In the past fours years, we have seen the resignation of two justice ministers, two Garda commissioners, and two secretaries general of the department.

A report by the expert group recommends splitting the department in two and making structural changes to aid efficiency. Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan has appointed a new secretary general to the department to oversee changes.

The forensic analysis of the operations of the department is welcome and enlightening and the appointment of a senior and experienced civil servant to push those changes through is equally welcome, but neither addresses the issues of culture and practice within the department.

Unless the new secretary general tackles that, the buck will continue to stop nowhere.