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6 July 2005

MINISTER PLEDGES TO CUT OUT RED TAPE

The Minister with responsibility for the Review of Public Administration, Jeff Rooker, has said he is determined to reduce bureaucracy here.

Speaking after a day of meetings with the main political parties, the Minister said: "There is too much bureaucracy and red-tape to get through in all elements of public administration in Northern Ireland, which costs a lot of money. By the turn of this year, I would hope to be announcing a much more stream-lined and coordinated system for the delivery of public services which will free up money for crucial front-line services in our hospitals and schools."

The meetings are part of the consultation on proposals for a major reorganisation of the public sector in Northern Ireland including local councils, health and education bodies.

The Minister continued: "These were very useful and constructive meetings. I am grateful to the parties for their positive contribution and I look forward to their formal response. I will meet the parties again in the Autumn after the consultation process has closed.

"The main political parties have a key role to play in this process and it is very important I listen carefully to what they have to say. It is also important that I hear what the general public have to say about these options and proposals."

The Minister concluded: "The consultation process will end 30 September, so there is still plenty of time to respond. The proposals in the document will touch on the lives of everyone in Northern Ireland. I therefore urge all citizens to take this opportunity to respond. This is not just a matter for the politicians, I want to listen to the views of everyone. I haven’t made up my mind yet but I would hope that by the turn of the year I would be in a position to make decisions. If you have an opinion on how public services should be delivered in Northern Ireland, now is the time to let us know."

NOTES TO EDITORS:

  1. The consultation period ends 30 September 2005. Comments can be forwarded to: admin.rpa@rpani.gov.uk or sent to:

    Review of Public Administration
    McKelvey House
    25 Wellington Place
    Belfast
    BT1 6GD

  2. The consultation document can be downloaded from www.rpani.gov.uk

  3. The Minister met with members of the DUP, Sinn Féin, Alliance, SDLP and the UUP.

  4. All media enquiries to: Áine Gaughran, Tel: 028 9027 7606/Mob: 07717732079.

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