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Minister Hayes delivering the lecture

Minister of State for Public Service Reform Brian Hayes, as part of the Irish Presidency of the EU, delivered the Jean Monnet Lecture to the annual forum of the European Centre for Government Transformation in Brussels on 28 May 2013.

This event, organised by the Lisbon Council in conjunction with the College of Europe and Accenture, brought together senior representatives from National Administrations, the European Commission, and the Private Sector together with final year students of the College of Europe. Minister Hayes' address focused on the Public Service reform activities as part of the Government's strategic response to the economic crisis.

The Minister said:

Progress to date has been about repairing our balance sheet, putting our public finances back on a sustainable footing, and about restoring our reputation. Another element, more difficult to quantify, though of no less importance, is Ireland’s capacity to reform. This is something which has gone largely unrecognised. It is something we really need to communicate better at home.

That unprecedented levels of demand on our public services have been met by a much reduced Public Sector demonstrates our capacity and determination to ride out the 'perfect storm' conditions that arose from the collapse of our Banking sector and Public Finances.

Read the full press release here.