A MINISTER of State has made the most pointed criticism to date of the public sector, describing its culture as “unfit for purpose”.
John McGuinness, Minister of State for Trade and Commerce, also claimed the civil and public service was now affecting the performance of the economy.
Opening the annual conference of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants yesterday, Mr McGuinness said that over the past 15 years, the weaknesses in the public sector had been exposed. “The public sector is now a drag on our economy,” he said.
Mr McGuinness distinguished between the culture and systems, and individuals. “The huge number of good people working in our public sector are now as ill-served as the country. Longevity is prized above ability, caution over creativity, inaction over delivery and conformity over exceptionality.”
The Kilkenny TD has a reputation for being outspoken and made a speech last November that heavily criticised the Health Service Executive (HSE).
Taoiseach Brian Cowen has made the implementation of the OECD recommendations on reform of the public service a key priority. But neither he nor other Ministers have been as openly critical.
Mr McGuinness said the public sector needed to embrace the private sector’s acceptance that change is a constant, along with the value it placed on the individual, the flattening of hierarchies and the fact that workplaces are getting smaller. He said Ireland, because of its small size, had a great opportunity.
