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Independent Group of experts will support the Department of Justice & Equality in delivering critical reforms

Following a Cabinet decision today (Tuesday), the Minister for Justice and Equality, Charlie Flanagan TD, has announced the membership and terms of reference of the Change Implementation Group (CIG) for the Department of Justice and Equality.

He stated:

“Transformational organisational change is very difficult in any context but it is particularly difficult in a very busy Department with a demanding, urgent and very wide ranging work programme. A good deal of the recommendations of the Toland Report have been implemented, but the Government considers it appropriate to introduce an independent expert Change Implementation Group to ensure that the outstanding elements of the Report are fully implemented.

“The CIG remit goes beyond the Toland Report and includes an examination of the relationship between my Department and An Garda Síochána. Identifying the right model and protocols that will facilitate appropriate oversight and accountability is a challenge all democracies grapple with and I believe the input of the Change Implementation Group will be valuable. The CIG will, of course, consult with stakeholders in the sector in particular the various bodies in the policing sphere. The work of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland is particularly important in this context.”

Minister Flanagan continued:

“Importantly the work of the CIG will not be reduced to simply producing a single report or to a single short term engagement. The focus will be on practical implementation of necessary reforms and modernisation; there will be provision for progress reports to the Government and to the Oireachtas and, following an initial report to Government by 30th June 2018, quarterly reports will be produced thereafter.”

The Minister extended his thanks to the experts who had agreed to participate in the Change Implementation Group. They are:

• Mr. Pádraig Ó Ríordáin, Chairperson
• Former Chairman of the DAA and former Managing Partner of Arthur Cox 
• Ms. Theresa Daly
• Expert in strategy and leading and delivering organisational transformation. 
• Mr. Andrew Algeo
• Expert in organisational management and development of business models. 
• Mr. Kieran Coughlan
• Former Clerk of Dáil Éireann, forty years’ experience in public service. 

The Terms of Reference for the Change Implementation Group are as indicated by the Taoiseach to the Dáil:

• a) To assess progress in implementing the recommendations of the Toland Report; 
• b) To review the culture of the Department, make recommendations for change, particularly in respect of its decision-making and management, prioritisation and communication of information including how and when information is conveyed to the Minister’s office and if the Minister’s office is appropriately resourced in this context; 
• c) To examine in particular, the relationship between the Department and the Gardaí, to ensure that the relationship is appropriately structured, is understood in both organisations and operates in such a way as to ensure accountability and better performance; 
• d) To provide continued external oversight of the implementation of the Toland Report 
• e) To draw on the expertise of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland and the Policing Authority in conducting its work; 
• f) To provide progress reports to the Government and to the Oireachtas, and to make recommendations with regard to any aspect of its terms of reference. 

The Change Implementation Group will be asked to provide an initial report to the Government by 30th June 2018 and then on a quarterly basis thereafter.

The Minister for Justice and Equality will review arrangements and provide a progress report and recommendations for any further action in the first quarter of 2019.