Madam, – The comments from Fine Gael’s Richard Bruton that the Department of Finance is “unfit for purpose” and its Budget and Economic Policy Division has lost credibility, not only undermine the commitment, expertise and hard work of its staff (including Association of Higher Civil and Public Servants members) but also have been made in the absence of any objective research (Front page, October 22nd).
As far as this association is aware, the Independent Review of the Department of Finance, chaired by Rob Wright, is still underway and has not reached any conclusions on the performance of the department’s officials. While the review has yet to be concluded, the AHCPS welcomes that a research-based process is in place and will refrain from speculating on the matter until the review has reported. We would recommend that Deputy Bruton might similarly reserve judgment.
Deputy Bruton also fails to take account of the fact that the policy outcomes of Government decisions on the economy and public service reform may or may not reflect advice provided by officials.
The HSE proposals from Deputy Bruton involve the abolition of the cabinet system in that organisation at the same time as a cabinet system is proposed for the Department of Finance. It is reported that a new Office of Public Service Modernisation and Expenditure Management would have hand-picked senior managers from the public service and private sector.
It is unclear who would do the hand-picking or what the criteria would be. It is also suggested that a new director of budget and economic policy would be appointed and have the power to hand-pick his/her own team.
The founders of this State recognised the value of a politically impartial civil service. Both of the above suggestions would raise serious questions of impartiality about the newly-appointed officials and the possibility that selection would be based on favouritism rather than objectively- assessed competence.
While this association would not challenge the right of any government to recast departmental responsibilities as it sees fit in response to circumstances, we would question any plan to move away from the filling of mainstream civil service appointments by transparent means that meet proper standards of probity. – Yours, etc,