The Programme for Government sets out an ambitious reform programme of Government reform to deliver fundamental change in democratic and public governance inIreland.
The Government Reform Unit has been established in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform with responsibility for policy development and the preparation of legislative proposals for consideration by Government relating to the commitments contained in the Programme for Government and other reform priorities agreed by Government in the following areas:-
- Regulation of Lobbying;
- Protected Disclosures (i.e. “Whistleblowing”);
- Freedom of Information;
- Ethics
- Civil Service Accountability; and
- Statute Law Revision.
- Houses of the Oireachtas Inquiries
- Ombudsman (Amendnent) Act 2012
This Government Reform programme is being undertaken to facilitate more open, transparent responsible and responsive public governance and is taking place in tandem with a major programme of Public Service reform aimed at delivering a more efficient public service which will will deliver public services in an integrated, transparent and cost-efficient manner possible.
Work on delivering on these Programme for Government Commitments is currently being progressed by the Unit with a view to bringing forward – subject to Government approval – a number of legislative proposals during 2012 for enactment by the Oireachtas.
Separately analysis of voter behaviour in the Oireachtas Inquiry Referendum was undertaken. The purpose of the research was to obtain both quantitative and qualitative information to cast light on the determinants of voter behaviour in the Referendum on Oireachtas inquiries with a view to learning lessons for future referendum campaigns to ensure that voters are appropriately informed and aware of the relevant issues. Full details available here
