25 February 2002
ACCOUNTABLE & EFFECTIVE PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION IS ESSENTIAL: TRIMBLE AND DURKAN
During a major debate today in the Assembly, First Minister, Rt Hon David Trimble MP, MLA, and Deputy First Minister, Mark Durkan, MLA, gave further details of the Review of Public Administration. The Assembly is considering the proposed terms of reference of the Review, which is due to be launched in the spring, as part of a limited pre-consultation process.
Opening the debate, the First Minister said: "This is an opportunity of a generation to put in place a modern, accountable, effective system of public administration which can deliver a high quality set of public services to our citizens.
"The Review will consider the structure, responsibilities and delivery of services by local government. It will look at the accountability and co-ordination of public bodies at arms length from government and consider all elements of public administration against the characteristics which are finally agreed."
In answer to critics calls for an independent body to lead the review, the First Minister said: "It is important that everyone can have confidence in the way this Review is carried out. Given that this Review has the potential to shape the future governance of Northern Ireland for years to come, it is essential that there is a political input at every stage of the process. For that reason, the Executive needs to lead the Review and decide its outcome.
"There would be a huge irony in an unelected body examining the appropriateness of other unelected bodies having responsibility for the administration of public services.
"That said, we are convinced that there needs to be a strong independent element throughout the Review process. The Executive is in the process of identifying and appointing a small number of high-level independent experts in governance and organisational change.
"These experts will be involved in all aspects of the Review and will have a direct line to Ministers. The Review team will also be broadly based, involving officials from local government and the wider public sector working alongside civil servants."
In closing the debate, the Deputy First Minster, Mark Durkan said: "With a rigorous examination of all the issues and options and through a highly consultative and participative approach, we will be trying to build consensus for the sort of change which is required to arrive at well-informed decisions that will bring benefits to all.
"One of the key messages to take away from today is that this is to be an open and transparent process and will require the Assembly and Executive to work in partnership for the benefit of everyone.
"Partnership is a key theme of this administration - partnership between the customer and service provider, between local and regional levels of government and between government and the community. In looking at the way services are administered we will be keen to examine new ways of working, including the development of partnerships at local levels and between different levels of government."
Mr Durkan said that, for the Review to be implemented successfully, it needed to have the Assembly's support. He acknowledged that there would be difficult decisions ahead: "With an exercise on this scale we will not be able to please everyone. The Executive and Assembly together have a responsibility to provide clear leadership. We will not shirk our responsibility.
"Our objective is to create the best possible system of public administration. It is not about cutting jobs or rationalisation of the public sector. It is about the delivery of public services and the legacy we want to leave to future generations. In the context of devolution and the newly established institutions our current system needs to be changed to reflect the new dispensation. We need to move forward with a modern system of administration that lives up to all our expectations."
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