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Openness, Transparency and Accountability in Ireland

Openness and Transparency

Openness and transparency is enhanced by the ongoing change in the culture of secrecy surrounding public life. Politicians and public servants now know that people have a right of access to information about decisions that affect them directly or indirectly. This information can be released either pro-actively by way of press releases, website up-dates and newsletters or following a request from a member of the public.

Alternatively, people can apply for this information by using the Freedom of Information Act. This Act, subject to some exemptions, provides a right of access to information held by public bodies and a right of appeal to the Office of the Information Commissioner if the information is refused. Further information on the FOI Act and on the Office of the Information Commissioner is provided in the student section. 

Accountability

Accountability in Ireland is provided by a number of means; the Government is accountable to the electorate, Ministers are accountable to the Oireachtas, and heads of public bodies are answerable to such committees of the Oireachtas as the Public Accounts Committee. In addition, there are various regulators and ombudsmen established to oversee and investigate distinct areas of Irish life e.g. Comptroller and Auditor General , the Ombudsman, the Information Commissioner, the Standards in Public Office Commission , the Children's Ombudsman, the Data Protection Commissioner, the Financial Services Ombudsman and so on.

Two of these deserve special mention because of their complementary roles. The Comptroller and Auditor General is a financial watchdog who ensures that the funds which public bodies receive are spent appropriately and to good effect. The Ombudsman, by examining complaints, ensures that public bodies deliver high standards of service to the public.

The Comptroller and Auditor-General

The Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG) plays a central role in the public accountability process by reporting to Dáil Éireann on whether public funds have been spent appropriately and to good effect.. He does this by providing reports on audits and examinations to the Public Accounts Committee.

The C&AG does this by examining the accounts and underlying records and transactions of public bodies to ensure that:

  • the accounts properly reflect the transactions, and
  • the transactions recorded in the accounts are appropriate to the public body

For each account, an examination is also made of the public body's internal financial control arrangements.

From time to time, the C&AG also checks to see if:

  • value for money has been achieved by State organisations,
  • good financial management principles have been applied in the administration of public funds,
  • funds paid to bodies who receive more than 50% of their funding from the State have been applied for the purpose intended, and
  • public business has been conducted properly.

The Ombudsman

The Ombudsman investigates complaints from members of the public who feel they have been unfairly treated by public bodies. The Ombudsman has extensive powers in law. She can demand any information, document or file from a body complained of and can require any official to give information about a complaint.

In the majority of cases, complaints are resolved satisfactorily in a very informal way, for example, in discussing the problem with the public body or by examining the relevant files. In the more complex cases a detailed investigation may be required.

The Ombudsman also provides guidance for public bodies on how to achieve the highest standards of service in their dealings with people. The Office has published a Guide to Standards of Best Practice for Public Servants which helps them to ensure that people are dealt with "properly, fairly, openly and impartially".

A complete description of role and functions of the Office can be found at www.ombudsman.gov.ie.

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