The new Government has a responsibility to develop citizens' rights through the introduction of comprehensive reforms within the public service. Reform is not just about increasing productivity, although that is an important element. More fundamentally, it is about meeting the changing needs and expectations of consumers and ensuring that those who are paid from the public purse are made accountable.
Ombudsman Emily O'Reilly has appealed again for changes to the law that would open up the activities of hundreds of single-purpose State agencies to her scrutiny. There is little or no parliamentary oversight of their actions and Ministers have been happy to relinquish control over most of their functions. In such circumstances, members of the public have little chance of redress. That is not good enough in today's world.
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has spoken of reforming public services and getting better value for money. But unless accountability and transparency form part of that project, the new coalition Government will be wasting its time. The buck has to stop at someone's desk for services to be provided more efficiently and responsively. And, for that to happen, the decision-making process of all State-funded bodies must be opened up to scrutiny.
It is now more than 10 years since the Constitution Review Group recommended that the Ombudsman should be given the same wide-ranging powers as the Comptroller and Auditor General. Just as the C&AG has authority to investigate all public spending and financial accountability, the Ombudsman would deal with administrative accountability. Instead of granting new powers to the Ombudsman's Office, however, the Government has put many areas of public administration beyond its reach. In a parallel development, it ended the scrutiny of Cabinet decision-making and other official matters by Ms O'Reilly as Information Commissioner when it introduced changes to the Freedom of Information Act.
Unless proper records are kept, service providers cannot be held responsible. And, without accountability, what chance is there that the rights of citizens will take precedence over the convenience of public sector workers? As Ireland becomes a more complex society, we need to scrutinise official actions in order to guard against mistakes and possible maladministration.
Even as things stand, the Ombudsman's report for 2006 makes for depressing reading. In those areas open to examination, she found more than 2,000 valid complaints, with a high percentage reflecting "a failure by public bodies to act in accordance with the law or any other rules and regulations". Most of those complaints involved Civil Service departments and offices, with local authorities coming a close second. The other area that drew a significant number of justified complaints was the health services.
There is an urgent need for reform. And the new Government has an opportunity to make a difference.