He has commented that FOI is not the answer to a reporter's prayers. He strongly advocates supplementing FOI with other avenues. At this stage it might be useful to look at FOI in context of other ongoing major reform programme currently underway in the public service. I would also like to briefly touch on our experience to date with the Act. Freedom of Information is a single, but key element of the Delivering Better Government programme.
Irish citizens expect and are entitled to the highest quality service from their public servants.
Hand in hand with quality service comes openness and transparency. At this stage departments have published quality customer statements explicitly setting out standards to which the public are entitled in their dealings with individual bodies. Delegating authority and accountability to civil servants . It is widely recognised that traditional structures across the Civil Service have not, in the past, particularly encouraged individuals to take strong personal and team ownership of their work areas. All this is set to change with the advent of the Public Service Management Act.