Our Ref: AD/12/001318
23 March, 2005
Mr. Eddie Sullivan,
Secretary General,
Public Service Management and Development,
Department of Finance,
Government Buildings,
Upper Merrion Street,
Dublin 2.
Dear Eddie,
Sustaining Progress: Fourth Phase of the Performance Verification Process
I refer to your letter of 16 February, 2005, and submit herewith three copies of the Fourth Progress Reports of the Office of the Attorney General and of the Office
of the Chief State Solicitor on the Offices‟ Revised Action Plans under Sustaining Progress.
The Progress Report for the Office of the Attorney General, which also covers the Law Reform Commission, has been prepared in consultation with the Office‟s
Partnership Committee. A Sub-Committee of Partnership which monitors progress achieved on specific actions set out in the Action Plan met on two occasions
since submission of the Revised Action Plan. Monthly reports were provided to the Office‟s Management Advisory Committee and Partnership Committee.
Those elements of the Office‟s Progress Report relating to the Law Reform Commission were prepared in consultation with Commission staff. In the case of the
Office of the Chief State Solicitor (CSSO), the Progress Report was prepared in consultation with and approved by that Office‟s Partnership Committee. Again
regular reports were provided to that Office‟s Management Advisory Committee and Partnership Committee. The Joint AGO/CSSO Management Advisory
Committee were also briefed on the progress being achieved in implementing both Action Plans.
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Progress on Priorities
IT Projects
The first set of Priorities set by the Offices in their Action Plans relate to IT Projects :
Case and Records Management System (ACME);
Financial Management System (FMS);
Management Information Framework (MIF);
eLegislation;
Human Resources Management System (HRMS).
The Financial Management System is in place and priority is now being given to the Case and Records Management System. The eLegislation and HRMS
Projects were both held up for a period, in each case, at the request of CMOD who wished in the case of eLegislation for the Office to consult with the Houses of
the Oireachtas and in the case of HRMS pending central tendering in respect of the solution for all Government Departments and Offices.
Case and Records Management System (ACME)
A substantial amount of work has been undertaken by staff in both Offices to progress this very significant initiative which covers all records, both legal and non-
legal. Specifications in respect of all areas of the Offices have been agreed with the vendor and it is intended to pilot the new system in relation to a common area
of work (Asylum) in both Offices on 11 April, 2005. Work to date has involved considerable input from staff in the pilot asylum area in both Offices in particular,
but also involved IT and other staff in user acceptance testing and writing scripts. Staff involved in the pilot area will receive specialised training in the period to
11 April, 2005 and all other staff will be trained before roll-out to their areas. Staff from all areas have been involved in preparation of a common Office Fileplan,
mapping workflows, ensuring data migration and reviewing screen shots for their areas. The full roll-out to all areas in both Offices is expected by Summer, 2005.
The development of the workflows for the different work areas across the Offices will ensure a more efficient service to client Departments/Offices and will
significantly enhance statistical and other information. The enhanced communication and collaboration between the CSSO and the AGO provided by the Case and
Records Management System will greatly contribute to a better service to client Departments/Offices particularly in relation to litigation and other areas where the
Offices work together on files.
Financial Management System (FMS)
The new FMS has been operating since 5 July, 2004, when the Offices took over responsibility from Accounts Section, Department of Finance, for non-pay
expenditure and other accounting functions relevant to the Offices‟ Votes. Work on development of an appropriate interface between FMS and ACME continues.
Asset tracker software was installed in January, 2005 and a workshop on the module took place on 15 February, 2005, with relevant staff from both Offices
attending. Roll-out of the untested modules of the system will follow in April, 2005. The Offices are now in a position more closely to analyse monthly
expenditure and the CSSO will shortly be in a position to reduce and eliminate backlogs in processing claims.
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Management Information Framework (MIF)
The MIF Project Board, representative of both Offices, was reconstituted in December, 2004. It now includes representatives from the Partnership Committees of
both Offices. The Project Board adopted an Office MIF Project Plan on 9 March, 2005 and this has been placed on the Office Intranet/Bulletin Board. The Project
Board is overseeing the development and enhancement of the Offices‟ Performance Indicators and Risk Management Strategies and is in the process of appointing
external expertise to assist with these developments. Performance Indicators will be in place by July, 2005, well within the Department of Finance MIF deadline.
The costing and management reporting elements of the FMS will become fully operational as soon as the ACME system is operational as full reporting is
dependent on information from both systems. Members of MAC and Business Unit Heads of both Offices and a member of the staff of the Law Reform
Commission attended MIF Training on 6/7 October, 2004 and 23 /24 February, 2005. A further training session will be held on 17/18 May, 2005. Progress on
MIF continues to be communicated to the staff of both Offices via the Office Newsletter and Intranet/Bulletin Board.
eLegislation
The Office of the Parliamentary Counsel to the Government are participating in the preparations for the roll-out of the ACME project. This will inform the
development of the eLegislation project.
Human Resources Management System (HRMS)
The Offices‟ Human Resources and IT Managers met CMOD on 10 February, 2005, to discuss the options in relation to implementing HRMS by December, 2006.
After the Case and Records Management System has been embedded, priority will switch to the implementation of HRMS in both Offices.
The Office of the Attorney General‟s comprehensive Human Resources Strategy developed by a Partnership Sub-Group was approved by the Partnership
Committee on 15 March, 2005 and elements have already been commenced. In the CSSO many elements of that Office‟s Human Resources Strategy have already
been developed such as PMDS, Training Policies, Refund of Fees, Probation and awards of increments, staff mobility, competitive promotion and procedures and
atypical working arrangements. The Law Reform Commission will prepare a Human Resources Policy document by end - 2005.
Knowledge Management Strategy
Legal Group meetings in the Office of the Attorney General are held regularly – generally weekly. The attendance of the Know-how Officer/Legal Researchers at
these meetings assists with the development of the Know-how database, which is shared with the CSSO, and the provision of legal research services. New Legal
Reference Guides and issues of the joint Office Newsletter and Legal Bulletins continue to be made available to staff in both Offices.
A Know-how Officer has been appointed in the CSSO from within existing resources. The CSSO Library and Know-How Unit has hosted two Legal Issues
Meetings as part of its know-how strategy. Thus far, papers have been presented on the following areas:
Mass Action Claims/Prison in Cell Sanitation
Chen Judgment/Asylum Law
Article 26 Reference/Nursing Home charges
Civil Liability and Courts Act.
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In the CSSO interim proposals for the development of a Know-how database have been presented to the Office MAC for consideration and are currently being
examined form a risk management point of view.
Electronic Irish Statute Book – Accessibility of Legislation
The Electronic Statute Book published by the Office of the Attorney General includes the full text of Acts, Statutory Instruments and Chronological Tables since
1922. The Acts (from 1997 onwards only) are also made available on the website of the Houses of the Oireachtas. However, this Office adds very significant
value to the availability of the Statute Book by the preparation of the Tables, which show how an Act has been amended since its passing, and by the publication of
the Statutory Instruments. What is available on the Office‟s website is therefore the complete legislative texts, primary and secondary, from 1922 to 2003.
The Electronic Statute Book was updated to include the Acts and Statutory Instruments for 2003 and placed on the Office website in December, 2004. Work is
continuing with a view to preparing the 2004 Chronological Tables and other material for placing on the website as soon as possible. An Office Project Group has
been established to examine the future development of the Electronic Statute Book. This will include consideration as to what electronic format of Statutory
Instruments prepared by Government Departments and Offices should be used as standard so as to permit their inclusion on the electronic website as they become
available, as well as issues such as usability, accessibility and improved search functionality. The availability of the Electronic Statute Book continues to be
complimented by users.
Statute Law Revision
In 2003, the Statute Law Revision Unit undertook an audit of all legislation enacted between 1235 and 1922. Arising from this, a Statute Law Revision (Pre-1922)
Bill was presented to the Seanad on 23 November, 2004 and it is expected that its Second Stage will be taken on 13 April, 2005. The Bill identified 90 obsolete or
redundant Acts as being suitable for repeal. Since publication of the Bill, work has continued on examining the pre-1922 primary legislation with a view to
identifying other Acts which are still in force but no longer of practical utility. These further Acts will be included for repeal by way of a Committee Stage
amendment to the Bill. The enactment of the Bill will facilitate the maintenance of an updated, relevant and coherent Statute Book.
It is anticipated that further detailed study of the pre-1922 legislation will produce a number of outcomes. It is planned to publish one or more Revision Bills. It is
also anticipated that the Office will produce an electronic database of the Acts remaining in force from that period. This will give clarity to legal professionals and
all other users as to what pre-1922 legislation remains in force. Further projects to assess pre-1922 local, personal and private Acts and secondary legislation are
envisaged as well as the possibility of a programme of repeal and re-enactment of pre-1922 legislation on a Department -by- Department basis.
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Restatements
Following the enactment of the Statute Law (Restatement) Act 2002, the following four Restatements have been certified by the Attorney General and placed on
the Office website.
Sale of Goods Act 1893 and Part II of 1980 Restatement
Defence Acts 1954 to 1998 and Courts Martial Appeals Act 1983 Restatement
Tourist Traffic Acts 1939 to 2003 Restatement
Succession Act 1965 Restatement.
Work continues on the restatement of the Unfair Dismissals Acts (certification will be postponed pending enactment of the Civil Service Regulation (Amendment)
Bill) and Dumping at Sea Acts (certification of which will also be postponed pending enactment of the Maritime Safety Bill 2004). The SLRU also plans to
examine other draft Restatement texts. Whilst priority is being given to the Pre-1922 projects, consideration of the Business Case document in relation to the
future Restatement policy will resume.
Report of the Working Group on the Accountability of Secretaries General and Accounting Officers (Mullarkey Report)
The Offices continue to progress the various elements of their individual Implementation Plans and practically elements all are in place.
The Internal Auditor and Professional Accountant concluded a review of internal financial controls in the Law Reform Commission in January, 2005. The Report
was approved by the Audit Committee and the recommendations are being implemented. The Internal Auditor and Professional Accountant had earlier undertaken
reviews of the internal financial controls in both Offices and the Report thereon was approved by the Audit Committee and recommendations considered by the
respective Office MACs and arrangements put in place to address the recommendations. The Offices‟ Audit Committee again reviewed progress on all Office IT
projects on 20 January and 9 February, 2005.
Risk Management Strategies have been adopted in the Offices in the context of Section/Unit/Group Business Plans. Disaster and Recovery Plans have been put in
place in the Library and Know-how Units of both Offices. In the AGO, a Registry Disaster and Recover Plan has also been put in place. The Offices are also
tendering for assistance in carrying out an office-wide risk analysis. On the roll out of the Case and Records Management System both Offices will have a
separate analysis conducted with a view to updating IT Disaster Recovery Plans for the Offices. The tendering process for this will be commenced by end-July,
2005.
Expenditure Review Plan
The Reviews of the Attorney General‟s Scheme and the Law Reform Commission are now well advanced. Those on the Provision of Stenographers Services and
on Costs of Recovery will be progressed soon. Project teams are in place and relevant data has been collected for the exercise. Consultation is taking place with
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the Department of Finance in respect of Reviews to be undertaken in 2006 and 2007. The Office of the Attorney General is committed to Reviews on Training and
Development and on the Electronic Statute Book by March, 2006. The Office proposes to undertake a Review on the Library and Know-how Unit in 2006.
Conclusions on Progress on Priorities
In the period since July, 2003, when the Offices submitted their initial Action Plans considerable progress has been made in both Offices in installing and rolling-
out the new Financial Management System while at the same time taking over substantial accounting functions from the Department of Finance which exercised
such functions for over 80 years, in preparing for the piloting of the Case and Records Management System, in preparing for the roll-out of the Management
Information Project and in ensuring appropriate interfacing between all of these Systems, in preparing for further work on the eLegislation and on the Human
Resource Management Projects and in implementing recommendations of the Knowledge Management Strategy. I am confident that by the end of 2005 most of
the projects will be fully operational and certainly all should be completed within the timescale of the Revised Action Plan.
The attention given by the Office of the Attorney General to the updating of the post-1922 Electronic Statute Book and Accessibility of Legislation is without
precedent. Work is proceeding on the Chronological Tables for 2004. Efforts will now be made to ensure that Statutory Instruments become available more
quickly and in suitable electronic format to enable earlier preparation and publication of the Tables.
The availability of the Electronic Statute Book has been complemented by identification of redundant pre-1922 Acts leading to the publication of the Statute Law
Revision (Pre-1922) Bill 2004, the first Statute Law Revision Bill since 1983. This is a significant achievement and is expected to be followed by another
Revision Bill arising out of the further and detailed examination of the pre-1922 materials which has commenced. The enactment of this type of legislation will
bring about more accessible, coherent and transparent Statute law and is consistent with the Government‟s Better Regulation Policy.
On publication of the Report of the Working Group on the Accountability of Secretaries General and Accounting Officers, the Offices were fortunate as “small”
Offices in already having put in place a shared Internal Auditor and Audit Committee with external representatives. However, this left a considerable amount of
work to be done on other areas, which was taken into account in the context of the development of the new Financial Management System.
Expenditure Reviews are a totally new venture for the Offices. I am very pleased that the first Reviews to be undertaken are now far advanced, so much so that the
Offices can now plan for further Reviews with some confidence. I should point out that these Reviews have been undertaken at a time when staff with financial
skills were committed to the FMS project.
Law Reform Commission
The Law Reform Commission continues to implement its Second Programme for Law Reform 2000-2007 as approved by the Government. The Second
Programme identified 30 areas of law for examination with a view to their reform. A number of the projects undertaken by the Commission in the period since
2000 have involved considerable expansion of specific subject areas identified in the Second Programme e.g. the Project on Reform and Modernising Land Law
relating to over 150 pre-1922 Statutes on Land Law and Conveyancing. In that period the Commission has published 13 Reports and 21 Consultation Papers and
these have dealt with 27 separate areas of law – 21 identified in the Second Programme. By the end of 2005, the Commission hopes to have completed projects
dealing with 24 of the areas identified in the Second Programme.
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Publications of the Commission since the submission of the Third Progress Report in September, 2004, are:
Twenty-Fifth Annual Report of 2003
Report on a Fiscal Prosecutor and a Revenue Court
Consultation Paper on Reform and Modernisation of Land Law and Conveyancing Law
Consultation Paper on Trust Law: General Proposals
Consultation Paper on Charitable Trust Law – General Proposals.
The Commission held an International Conference on Modernising Irish Land and Conveyancing Law on 25 November, 2004. Since September, 2004, the
Commission held Seminars of interested parties on the following Consultation Papers issued by the Commission:
DNA Database (5 October, 2004)
Multi - Party Litigation (Class Actions) – (11 October, 2004)
Issues involving Legal Capacity (18 October, 2004)
Court Poor Box (1 November, 2004)
Corporate Killing (1 December, 2004).
A further Seminar on Issues involving Legal Capacity is scheduled for 11 April, 2005.
The current work of the Commission includes:
A Report on eConveyancing with a view to publication in 2005,
A Report on Public Inquiries including Tribunals of Inquiry with a view to publication in 2005,
A Consultation Paper on Legal Capacity with a view to publication in 2005,
A Consultation Paper on Apartment Complexes and Multi-Unit Developments with a view to publication in 2005,
A Report on Multi-Party Litigation (Class Actions),
A project to consolidate and reform the Courts Acts including pre-1922 legislation,
Alternative Dispute Resolution – work to commence in 2005,
A Report on the establishment of a DNA Database,
A Consultation Paper on Manslaughter,
A Consultation Paper on Legitimate Defence,
A Consultation Paper on Duress and Necessity as a defence,
A Report on Prosecution Appeals in cases brought on Indictment and from Unduly Lenient Sentences in the District Court,
A Report on the Court Poor Box,
A Report on Corporate Killing,
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Reports on Trust and Charitable Trust Law,
A Consultation Paper on Trusts under the Settled Land Acts,
The Commission has commenced a review of its Strategy and Business Plan which is to be completed by the end of 2005.
Other Commitments - (Other general Civil Service commitments as set out in the Sustaining Progress Social Agreement)
Customer Service
Client and Customer Charters
Both Offices Client and Customer Charters are available on the Offices‟ website. They will be printed in booklet form in Irish and English by end-April, 2005.
Because of the need to react to the differing needs of clients/customers in the Office of the Attorney General, it was necessary to produce separate Charters for the
Advisory and Administration sides of the Office on one hand and the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel to the Government on the other hand.
Client Service Guide/Customer Action Plan
Work on the review of the Offices‟ Client Service Guide/Customer Action Plan continues with a view to completion by end-May, 2005, when they too will be put
on the Office website and printed in Irish and English. The Chief State Solicitor‟s Office has commenced preparations to undertake a further customer survey.
The Office of the Attorney General will convene its Client Panel in May, 2005, when printed versions of the Client and Customer Charters are available. That
Office will also undertake a further client survey at end – 2005.
Websites
The Offices‟ website was redesigned, and went live on 16 February, 2005. The new site was developed in accordance with Public Sector standards on accessibility
to meet State and International standards and was independently verified as to accessibility and usability. The site uses standard - based design methods to ensure
that it is cross-browser compatible and thus accessible to more people. The site was declared to have AA+ standard of accessibility compliance. The company
engaged to provide independent assessment on the website commentary on the usability text commented.
“This is one of the most positive reports that I’ve ever read. And it’s testament to the high quality of the AG site and the effort put into the design.”
The Office website, apart from containing the Electronic Statute Book and Office Client and Customer Charters, contains other Office publications such as Annual
Reports, Statements of Strategy, Action Plans and Progress Reports under Sustaining Progress. The joint AGO/CSSO MAC recently agreed a Statement of Policy
and Statement of Procedures in relation to Panels of Counsel. The Statement of Policy will be put on the Office website by 4 April, 2005.
The Office of the Attorney General is currently advising the Law Reform Commission in relation to accessibility and usability issues with the Commission‟s
website.
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Legal Education and Seminars
The Offices also continued to liaise with Government Departments about European Court of Justice litigation. On 24 September, 2004, the Offices hosted a
lecture on ECJ to which Departmental personnel were invited.
The Offices also continued their ECHR education programme for staff and Departmental lawyers with a lecture on 29 October, 2004, on emerging trends in ECHR
law relating to Family Law and the Child. The next ECHR lecture – on the Right to Silence - will be on 22 April, 2005.
The Offices are in consultation with the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and the Office of Director of Public Prosecutions about putting in place a
Programme of Education in European Criminal Law for relevant Office/Department staff.
The Attorney General is arranging a Lecture on Socio-economic Rights for end-June, 2005, to which members of the judiciary and others will be invited.
Safety Audit
A Safety audit was undertaken in the Office of the Attorney General‟s premises at end-January, 2005. Suggestions made in early-March, 2005, for the revision of
the Office‟s Health and Safety Statement are now being considered. Separately, the Radiological Institute of Ireland carried out a radon survey in the Office of the
Attorney General‟s premises from November, 2004, to March, 2005 and the Institute advised that the measurements were satisfactory with no further action
necessary. In the CSSO, a Health and Safety Committee was established in February, 2005 and issues have been prioritised by the Committee. The CSSO
proposes to engage consultants to advice on Health and Safety with particular reference to systems of work.
Secondments
Proposed secondments of Advisory Counsel from the Office to two Government Departments were not availed of by the Departments concerned although one of
them has again recently enquired about the option.
Annual Report
The Office‟s Annual Report for 2003 was presented to Government in December, 2004 and arrangements are being made for its publication in English and Irish.
A joint AGO/CSSO Editorial Board has been established to ensure a co-ordinated cross-Office approach to the preparation of Annual Reports. It is expected that
the 2004 Annual Report will be published by end-June, 2005.
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Local State Solicitors
On the proposed transfer of responsibility for the Local State Solicitors Service to the Office of the Director for Public Prosecutions, offers made to the State
Solicitors Association have been rejected on two occasions. Preparations for a review of the workloads and the expense base of Local State Solicitors are being
put in place.
Efficient Use of Resources
Both Offices‟ MACs and Law Reform Commission continue to monitor expenditure on a monthly basis. In the Offices, delegation of relevant Budgets are in
place. Almost all recommendations of the Audit Committee have been implemented in both Offices and in the Commission with a Report setting out the position
submitted to the Audit Committee on 20 January, 2005. Both Offices have updated their Accounting Procedures taking account of the installation of the new
Financial Management System.
Guidelines on the level of counsels‟ fees to be sanctioned in personal injuries and torts cases have been put in place.
Better Regulation
The CSSO is participating in a review of litigation costs sponsored by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform.
The Law Reform Commission will publish draft legislation with Reports where appropriate.
Drafting in the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel of the Social Welfare Consolidation Bill 2005 is well advanced. It consolidates 19 Acts since 1993 up to the
Social Welfare and Pensions Bill which has just been enacted. The aim is to have the Consultation Bill drafted by July, 2005.
See also previous sections of this letter on the Electronic Irish Statue Book, Statute Law Revision and Restatement.
Stable Industrial Relations
Biannual Management/Union meetings are held in the Office of the Attorney General where each side has the opportunity to raise issues. The next meeting is
scheduled for 4 April, 2005. On the administration side of the AGO, meetings with administrative staff take place periodically - the next meetings are scheduled
for 5 April, 2005. Unions in the CSSO are regularly briefed by Management on matters of mutual interest and the Office has put in place a communications
structure for non-Union staff and other Groups. The Partnership approach in both Offices also continue to consider issues of importance to all sides.
The Law Reform Commission has carried out preliminary work on the preparation of administrative protocols for best practice which are to be completed in 2005.
The Commission also holds regular meetings to brief all staff on developments in work practices.
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Performance Management Systems
Both Offices have arranged for all staff to be trained on upward feedback which will apply to all staff in the AGO for the 2005 cycle and which formed part of the
2004 Annual Review process for staff in the CSSO. Action Plans in both Offices are being pursued to address issues identified in the separate Attitudinal/Climate
Surveys undertaken in 2004. Priority is given to PMDS-related training.
Modernisation and Flexibility
Significant flexibility continues to be demonstrated by staff in both Offices and the Law Reform Commission.
The administration sides in both Offices will be affected by many staff members wishing to decentralise. This is being addressed by documentation of practices,
procedures and much of this has already been done in the context of preparing for the ACME project.
The Offices recently recruited a Records Management Officer who took up duty on 1 February, 2005. The CSSO set up a Records and Registry Section.
The Office of the Attorney General MAC on 8 March, 2005, accepted recommendations of the Working Group on Quality Control of Legislation which sets out
the working arrangements within the Office as between Parliamentary Counsel and Advisory Counsel on the matter. In future all Bills drafted in the Office of the
Parliamentary Counsel will insofar as is possible having regard to time constraints be read by a drafter other than the person who drafted it.
The Office of the Attorney General on 14 December, 2004, made proposals to the Department of the Taoiseach for amendment of Appendices to the Cabinet
Handbook.
The Legal Researchers in the Office of the Attorney General continue to proof read Bills and work on Restatements.
In the CSSO, the issue of outsourcing an existing area of work is under discussion at Partnership. The CSSO on-call panel, which provides a 24/7 legal service in
sensitive areas still continues to operate effectively.
Team-working, cross-functional and cross-departmental working
Teamworking is a core competence under PMDS in both Offices. A Teamworking Course was held on 27 January, 2005 and it was attended by 6 AGO staff, 4
CSSO staff and 1 Law Reform Commission staff member. The CSSO provided a pilot training session for staff in teamworking in February, 2005 and that Office
proposes to provide further training sessions for staff in coming months.
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New Technology and eGovernment
The eCabinet System has been rolled out to relevant staff in the Office of the Attorney General. Training was provided and an Office manual made available to
them.
The Offices have established a Project Group to develop further the Intranet and the Group is to convene on 31 March, 2005. The Law Reform Commission has
carried out preliminary work in developing an Intranet which should be fully in place by end - 2005.
Atypical Working Arrangements
In the Office of the Attorney General, 18 staff members (15.5% of the staffing complement) avail of atypical working arrangements, a further 5 will be availing of
term-time arrangements during the summer and another 5 are expected to commence eworking from April, 2005. In the CSSO atypical working patterns apply to
26 staff which equates to 12% of the staff complement.
The Law Reform Commission has carried out preliminary work for the introduction of external network access by installing a new server.
Attendance Patterns
The Office of the Attorney General and the Law Reform Commission continue to monitor staff flexibility in working out of core hours. A Report on the
evaluation on the working trial of variable starting and finishing times for technical staff in the CSSO is under consideration by that Office‟s MAC.
Redeployment of staff
The CSSO has made new organisational arrangements to manage client needs arising out of child abuse litigation and resources in the Asylum Section have been
strengthened.
Verification of Change Mechanisms
A Records Management Officer to be shared by both Offices took up duty on 1 February. 2005. The post is a two-year contract.
The necessary procedures for competitive merit-based promotions are in place in both Offices.
Training
All staff in the Offices and the Law Reform Commission are notified of training opportunities. Priority is given to PMDS Role Profile identified needs as well as
IT projects such as FMS/MIF and ACME related training.
Three per cent of payroll has been made available for training and developments under Subhead A3 of both Offices‟ Vote for 2005. In 2004 expenditure of over
4% of payroll was incurred in training and development in the Office of the Attorney General. In the case of the CSSO, expenditure of 3% was incurred in 2004.
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A variety of training undertaken in 2004 and planned for 2005 in the Office of the Attorney General is set out at Appendix I.
In the Office of the Attorney General a Training and Development Plan for 2005 has been made available to all staff while one is being prepared in the CSSO. A
Legal Information Skills Programme for 2005 is being prepared for both Offices.
A Table on Training activities in the CSSO for 2004 is at Appendix II to this letter. The Appendix describes the training as needed and as provided. Training
activities continue since the start of 2005 with comparable levels of identification of training needs and delivery of training.
Where feasible, training courses are held in-house in both Offices.
Partnership
The CSSO Partnership Committee had its Annual Review in December, 2004. Partnership Committee representatives from both Offices joined the restructured
MIF Project Board in December, 2004.
Many members of staff not on the Partnership Committees serve on Sub-Committees and other Office Groups.
Equality
The Law Reform Commission currently meets its obligation for the employment of people with disabilities, the Office of the Attorney General is 0.41% below the
3% target while the CSSO is very close to target. Both Offices have taken steps to facilitate people with disabilities by improving access and including appropriate
reference to the facilities in all recruitment documentation.
The Office of the Attorney General exceeds the Government target with respect to gender equality: 36% at AP level are female and 53% of staff above HEO are
female. The CSSO exceeds the target with 48% of AP level female and 51% of staff above HEO female.
Conclusion on these other commitments
The Offices through the client surveys undertaken last year is more intensely aware of the needs of its client Departments/Offices. The feedback from clients has
been taken into account in the Client and Customer Charters now available on the Office‟s website and currently being printed for publication. Already, the
Offices have taken steps to restructure their organisation to better meet the needs of the clients. The Office‟s redesigned website is more accessible and user-
friendly.
Monthly monitoring of expenditure enables both Offices and the Commission to ensure that the finances made available to them are spent efficiently and
effectively. Delegation of Budgets, FMS reporting and Expenditure Reviews all enhance this objective.
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Stable Industrial Relations are maintained in both Offices and the Commission through close liaison between Management and Staff.
The Offices have rolled out PMDS to all staff and are completing training to prepare for the upward feedback phase of PMDS during 2005. PMDS-related training
is given priority over other training so as to ensure the development of staff capabilities. Further staff reviews of PMDS will take place during 2005 in both
Offices.
The Offices and Commission staff continue to demonstrate significant flexibility in taking up new tasks. Teamwork and atypical working arrangements are
particular features in the Offices. Also significant are the extra hours worked by staff in both Offices without recompense.
The Offices and Commission are availing of opportunities to develop new technologies of benefit to them in providing a better service.
The Offices and the Commission are totally committed to a well-trained workforce. All staff are notified of training opportunities.
The role of Partnership in the Offices is recognised. The work of the two Partnership Committees and that of Sub-Groups across a range of areas is much valued.
The Sub-Group in the Office of the Attorney General which monitors the implementation of commitments set out in the Office‟s Action Plan has met on 16
occasions to date.
The Offices and the Commission are also committed to reaching and maintaining the equality targets set by Government. Both Offices exceed the gender target.
As indicated previously all the facilities required to employ people with disabilities are available in both Offices but further measures to facilitate both employees
and visitors continue to be put in place.
Overall Conclusion
Considerable progress continues to be made in implementing the various commitments set out in the Action Plans by both Offices and the Law Reform
Commission. Following consultation with the Chief State Solicitor and the full-time Law Reform Commissioner, I am satisfied that all staff throughout the
Offices and the Commission justify the award to all persons at all levels of the appropriate pay increases due on 1 June, 2005.
I enclose, as requested, returns at Appendices III and IV on promotions/appointments made in both Offices to Executive Officer and Higher grades since 1
January, 2004.
Yours sincerely,
_______________
Finola Flanagan,
Director General
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APPENDIX I
AGO Training in 2004 and up to April 2005
ECJ Lecture Series 48 attended
ECHR Lecture Series 45 attended
ECDL Introduction 18 attended
ECDL Advanced 25 attended
Microsoft Outlook 124 attended
Customer Service Skills Course 2 attended
Business Writing Course 8 attended
Bullying Awareness 124 attended
Time Management Course 9 attended
PMDS Upward Feedback 123 attended
First Aid Course 10 attended
eCabinet Training 124 attended
Presentation Skills 11 attended
MS Excel Course 7 attended
Word Introduction Course 3 attended
Word Intermediate Course 5 attended
Word Advanced Course 7 attended
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MS Powerpoint Course 13 attended
MS Access Course 2 attended
Gaelagras Course 9 attended
Communications Skills Course 7 attended (6 AGO and 1 CSSO)
Stress Elimination Course 34 attended
Professional Telephone Skills Course 2 attended
Keyboard Development Skills Course 9 attended
Minute Taking Course 7 attended
Understanding Written French 2 attended
CMOD French Language Diploma 1 attending
Manual Handling Course 6 attended
Introductions Community Law Summer 3 attended
School Trier
MIF Training 16 attended
Team Working 11 attended (6 AGO, 4 CSSO & 1 LRC)
Advanced Business Writing 4 attended
Fees were refunded to 4 staff members.
Three members of staff are availing of the Office‟s Linguaphone self-learning language course which they are using to good effect.
AGO Courses in 2005 include;
16
On 2 February, 2005, 4 staff attended an Advanced Writing Course.
On 3 February, 2005, new staff members attended Induction training.
On 25 February and 2 March, 2005, 12 staff attended a Stress Elimination Course. There is currently a waiting list of another 12 for this course.
Staff who are to participate in the eworking project received training in fire extinguisher use and manual handling recently.
Three staff members attended a 2 day intensive Microsoft Access course recently.
A Minute Taking Course is scheduled for 19 April, 2005 and a Business Report Writing Course on 28 and 29 April, 2005.
17
Appendix II
Chief State Solicitor’s Office
Training Identified from Personal T&D Forms 2004
Areas Identified Clerical/ Technical Professional Total Total
Administration Requested Provided
Information Technology
Microsoft Word - Beginners 1 1 2 0
Microsoft Word - Intermediate 7 4 6 17 10
Microsoft Word - Advanced 17 10 8 35 18
Excel - Beginners 5 3 5 13 5
Excel - Intermediate 6 3 9 18 8
Excel - Advanced 10 5 3 18 12
Microsoft Project 1 1 1
Microsoft Outlook 98 35 100 233 227
PowerPoint/Presentation Skills 10 9 17 36 23
Legal Training
Access for all - Towards best
practice 1 1 1
Advocacy 2 5 7 1
Arbitration 1 5 6 3
Costs 2 2 2
Courtroom Evidence 6 6 7
Conveyancing 1 1 1
Commerical Court 12 12 12
Discovery 1 2 3 13
Drafting of Deeds 1 1 1
ECHR 2 2 12
Employment law 2 2 1
Environmental Law 2 2 2
European Law 2 2 2
Family Law 3 3 2
18
Judicial Review 1 1 7
Civil Litigation 2 2 4
Negotiating Skills 1 2 4 7 1
Planning Law 2 2 2
PIAB 4 4 18
Procurement process and
Procedures 2 2 10
Protection on the Environment 3 3 3
Principles of Practical Drafting 4 4 4
Public Procurement 7 7 7
TORTS - Law of Tort 1 1 2
Trusts - Legal 1 1 1
Understanding expert witnesses 1 1 2
VAT on property 1 1 1
Other Training
Accountability in Purchasing 4 4 1
ACME* 8 7 15 0
Assertiveness 1 1 1
Bullying and Harassment 3 2 5 2
Communication Skills* 20 2 4 26 0
ECDL 1 1 2 2
First Aid 10 1 2 13 12
Freedom of Information 6 6 5
Language Training (French) 2 1 3 2
Language Training (Irish
Scholarship) 1 2 3 3
Letter Writing 1 1 2 4 1
Legal Writing and Drafting 2 2 2
Licensing Law 1 1 0
Minute Taking 13 1 14 3
Personal Development 4 1 1 6 1
Report Writing 3 5 7 15 16
SRSB Conference 2 1 3 3
Supervisory Skills 7 1 8 11
Systems Analysis 2 2 2
Time Management* 5 11 16 32 13
19
Typing 2 12 14 14
Typing - Dictaphone 1 1 1
* ACME Pilot training was to be held in December 2004. This was postponed to March 2005.
* Due to the high cost of the Minute taking course, it was only appropriate for staff who sat on committees to attend this training in 2004. The Training Unit is in
negotiations with Irish Times Training to provide this course at a more competitive price.
*Negotiation Skills – Two training session have been organized for March 2005 for 24 staff. The Training Unit approached Ridley Fleming directly to provide
this training. They are employed by the Law Society to deliver this course on their CLE programme.
*Time Management – The Training Unit has engaged SureSkills to deliver Time Management training for 36 staff in February 2005. Training for 13 Staff took
place in February, 2005.
20
Revised Action Plan for Office of the Attorney General for period November, 2004, to June, 2006: Fourth Progress Report, March, 2005
1Para Commitment Specific Action Date Achieved Specific Progress/New If not yet achieved
[unless stated Yes – Y Specifications or did not meet
Departments to No - N commitment date
identify dates for Not please provide
achievement of applicable further details
specific actions] yet – N/A
Common Commitments
Customer Service
1 All public service organisations The Office‟s Client Service Guide Early 2005 N Work of Partnership Sub- Priority given to
(ref. over the course of this 2002 – 2004 will be reviewed at Group on Client Service on preparation and
20.13) Agreement will be required to end 2004 with a view to reviewing the Guide publication of
commit publicly to service publication of a Guide for 2005 – continues with a view to Office Charters.
standards for their customers. 2007. completion by end-May,
Performance will be evaluated 2005.
against these standards and
the results published in annual
reports or another appropriate The Office will publish its first December, 2004 Y The Charters for the
format. Improvements in Customer Charter which will Advisory and
customer service will be a include reference to client service Administration sides of the
particular focus of the standards in relation to internal Office and the Office of the
partnership structures going and external clients. All staff will Chief Parliamentary
forward. comply with the obligations set out Counsel along with the
in the Charter. Charter for the CSSO have
been put on the Office
website. Arrangements are
being made to print them
in English and Irish in
booklet form by end-April,
2005.
o Client Service is a core
21
1Para Commitment Specific Action Date Achieved Specific Progress/New If not yet achieved
[unless stated Yes – Y Specifications or did not meet
Departments to No - N commitment date
identify dates for Not please provide
achievement of applicable further details
specific actions] yet – N/A
competency for all staff in
the Office under PMDS.
Induction course for
entrants to the Office now
includes client service.
All Departments and Offices The Office will through its website December, 2004 Y o The Office‟s website was
will publish a charter of service and Office facilities improve access onwards redesigned, content
standards and report on for all clients by way of improving updated and went live on
performance against these services to people with disabilities 16 February, 2005. The
standards in their annual and provision of Irish language new site was developed in
report. version. accordance with Public
Sector guidelines on
accessibility. The site was
audited to validate the
accessibility and usability
measures taken. The
process to implement an
Irish version will now
commence.
o The Office is currently
advising the Law Reform
Commission in relation to
accessibility and usability
issues with the
Commission‟s website.
22
1Para Commitment Specific Action Date Achieved Specific Progress/New If not yet achieved
[unless stated Yes – Y Specifications or did not meet
Departments to No - N commitment date
identify dates for Not please provide
achievement of applicable further details
specific actions] yet – N/A
1a
(ref. The Office proposes to
22.4) include an entry in Irish
language section of the
2006 Golden Pages State
Directory. Currently the
Office has an entry in
English and Irish in the
exclusively English section.
The Office will undertake a safety Health and Safety
audit of its premises. End 2004 Y Consultants, Nifast,
undertook a safety audit of
the Office premises at end-
January, 2005. Nifast
made suggestions for the
revision of the Office‟s
Health and Safety
Statement in early-March,
2005, and these are now
being considered by the
Office.
The Radiological Institute
of Ireland measured Radon
levels in the Office
premises from November,
2004, to March, 2005. The
23
1Para Commitment Specific Action Date Achieved Specific Progress/New If not yet achieved
[unless stated Yes – Y Specifications or did not meet
Departments to No - N commitment date
identify dates for Not please provide
achievement of applicable further details
specific actions] yet – N/A
Institute reported on 18
March, 2005, that
measurement levels were
satisfactory.
The Office will prepare a scheme
to implement the provisions of the In line with N/A No direction
Official Languages Act. direction of received as yet
Minister for from Minister for
Communications, Community, Rural
Rural and and Gaeltacht
Gaeltacht Affairs. The Office facilitated the Affairs.
Y placement of a Law in Irish
student from UCC from
January to April, 2005.
Meeting of Panel to be held
The Office will convene meetings November, 2004 in May, 2005.
of its Client Panel at least once a onwards
year.
The Office will undertake a further November, 2005
survey of clients. N/A
The Law Reform
The Law Reform Commission will November, 2004 Commission published a
continue its work under the onwards Y Report on A Fiscal
Second Programme for Law Prosecutor and A Revenue
24
1Para Commitment Specific Action Date Achieved Specific Progress/New If not yet achieved
[unless stated Yes – Y Specifications or did not meet
Departments to No - N commitment date
identify dates for Not please provide
achievement of applicable further details
specific actions] yet – N/A
Reform 2000-2007. Court on 31 January, 2005,
and two Consultation
Papers on Trust Law in
February, 2005.
The Law Reform
Commission will publish
the following in 2005: A
Report on Public Inquiries,
a Report on
eConveyancing, a
Consultation Paper on
Legal Capacity and a
Consultation Paper on
Apartment Complexes and
other Multi-Unit
Developments.
The Law Reform
Commission, which held 5
The Law Reform Commission will, November, 2004 Seminars since September
as part of its consultation process onwards Y 2004, on the findings of
and in order to ensure as wide a various Consultation
debate as possible, continue its Papers, will hold a
series of seminars on the consultative Seminar on
publication of Consultation Papers Legal Capacity with
25
1Para Commitment Specific Action Date Achieved Specific Progress/New If not yet achieved
[unless stated Yes – Y Specifications or did not meet
Departments to No - N commitment date
identify dates for Not please provide
achievement of applicable further details
specific actions] yet – N/A
to seek views on its original members of the caring
provisional recommendations agencies on 11 April,
before proceeding to Report stage. 2005.
The Commission held an
international conference
on 24 November, 2004, on
Modernising Land Law and
Conveyancing Law.
The Law Reform
The Law Reform Commission will Commission has carried
review its Health and Safety at Early 2005 out its Health and Safety
Work statement. Ongoing staff Y Review. Staff training has
training will be provided. been provided. The
preparation of a new
Health and Safety
Statement is nearing
completion.
The Law Reform
The Law Reform Commission will Commission has
adhere to its service standards as Late 2005 commenced a review of its
outlined in its Strategy and N/A Strategy and Business
Business Plan 2003 – 2005 which Plan to be completed by
was issued in January, 2003. The end of 2005.
preparation of a new Business Plan
26
1Para Commitment Specific Action Date Achieved Specific Progress/New If not yet achieved
[unless stated Yes – Y Specifications or did not meet
Departments to No - N commitment date
identify dates for Not please provide
achievement of applicable further details
specific actions] yet – N/A
will commence in 2005.
Law Reform Commission
The Office and the Law Reform Annual Report for 2003
Commission will report on Annual Reports published in December,
performance achieved against the to be published N/A 2004.
standards in their respective in 2004 to 2006.
Annual Reports from 2004 Office Annual Report for
onwards. 2003 presented to
Government in December,
End-May 2005 2004, to be translated into
Irish and printed in both
English and Irish.
Annual Reports for Office and
the Law Reform Commission
for 2004 being prepared.
N/A The Office in conjunction
with the CSSO, has
established an Editorial
Board to ensure a more co-
ordinated cross-Office
approach to the preparation
and formulation of the
Annual Report for publication
27
1Para Commitment Specific Action Date Achieved Specific Progress/New If not yet achieved
[unless stated Yes – Y Specifications or did not meet
Departments to No - N commitment date
identify dates for Not please provide
achievement of applicable further details
specific actions] yet – N/A
by 30 June, 2005. The
Report will incorporate
progress achieved against
service standards.
Efficient Use of Resources
2 The parties to this Agreement The Office will continue to adopt From November, Y Current IT, Electronic
a Project Management approach
(ref. will co-operate fully with the 2004 onwards Statute Book and
for all big projects as a means
20.11) modernisation and change Expenditure Review
of enhancing value for money.
required to ensure that Projects being pursued via
maximum value is achieved Project Management
from all public expenditure in approach.
terms of defined outputs and
outcomes. Two further staff members
received training in project
management in November,
2004.
The Office will complete its
Expenditure Reviews on
Expenditure Reviews, in respect
of the Law Reform Commission March, 2005 Y Attorney General‟s Scheme
and the Attorney General‟s (completion expected end-
Scheme (jointly with the CSSO) April, 2005) and on Law
and reviews on Training and Reform Commission being
Development and the Electronic progressed (completion
28
1Para Commitment Specific Action Date Achieved Specific Progress/New If not yet achieved
[unless stated Yes – Y Specifications or did not meet
Departments to No - N commitment date
identify dates for Not please provide
achievement of applicable further details
specific actions] yet – N/A
Statute Book and any necessary expected end-May, 2005).
action arising will be taken. March, 2006 N/A Consultation taking place
with Department of
Finance about Expenditure
Reviews to be undertaken
in 2006 and 2007 – the
Office proposes to
undertake an Expenditure
Review of the Library and
Know-How Unit in 2006, as
well as the Reviews on
Training and Development
and the Electronic Statute
Book.
Report on implementation
The Office will review the
position in relation to of recommendations of the
implementation of From November, Y Audit Committee Reports
recommendations of the Audit 2004 onwards submitted to the Audit
Committee Reports. Some Committee in January,
aspects may have to await 2005. Practically all of the
rollout of MIF and compilation
recommendations have
of new procedures arising
therefrom. been implemented. The
Office‟s Accounting
Procedures are being
revised to take account of
the new FMS and a draft
will be submitted to the
29
1Para Commitment Specific Action Date Achieved Specific Progress/New If not yet achieved
[unless stated Yes – Y Specifications or did not meet
Departments to No - N commitment date
identify dates for Not please provide
achievement of applicable further details
specific actions] yet – N/A
Office MAC meeting on 6
April, 2005.
The non-ACME (new Case
and Records Management
The Office will roll out the MIF System) dependent
initiative which will be aimed at Mid-2005 Y functionality has been
enhancing VFM. The new FMS embedded since end –
will facilitate both cash and 2004. It is envisaged that
accrual accounting, therefore
the ACME dependent
providing enhanced financial
management information. functionality will be fully
embedded by end-June,
2005.
The MIF Project Board,
representative of the Office
and the CSSO, was
restructured and now
includes Partnership
Committee representatives
from both Offices. The new
Board met on 7 December,
2004, and 8 March, 2005,
to review the Offices‟ MIF
Project Plan, which has
been displayed on the
Office Intranet.
Integration with the Case
30
1Para Commitment Specific Action Date Achieved Specific Progress/New If not yet achieved
[unless stated Yes – Y Specifications or did not meet
Departments to No - N commitment date
identify dates for Not please provide
achievement of applicable further details
specific actions] yet – N/A
and Records Management
System (ACME) will
The Office, in conjunction with
continue in line with
the CSSO, will develop an
November, 2004 Y progress of the ACME
appropriate interface with the
New Case and Records Project. Interface has been
Management System to meet developed since end-
with MIF Requirements. January, 2005 and testing
of it is taking place in the
context of the pilot for the
ACME system over the
period to 11 April, 2005.
Many of the structures to
enable EFT payments are in
place. All banking
Payment by EFT as part of the
development of the FMS will be structures are in place and
rolled out. March, 2005 N technical structures are Some outstanding
substantially in place. development work
is expected to be
undertaken by the
system vendor
MIF Training Course and will be in
Sessions held for MAC place by end-May,
MIF training will be rolled out to members and Business Unit 2005, when EFT
appropriate staff. heads on 6/7 October, will be fully
Early-mid 2005 Y 2004 and on 23/24 functional.
March, 2005 February, 2005, 27
31
1Para Commitment Specific Action Date Achieved Specific Progress/New If not yet achieved
[unless stated Yes – Y Specifications or did not meet
Departments to No - N commitment date
identify dates for Not please provide
achievement of applicable further details
specific actions] yet – N/A
attended - 13 from AGO
and 13 from CSSO and 1
from LRC. Further session
planned for 17/18 May,
2005. Two other MAC
members had attended an
earlier pilot session.
The Office and the CSSO
have commissioned
The Office in conjunction with assistance to facilitate
the CSSO, will identify work on identification of
appropriate performance N/A performance indicators by
indicators and put in place
July, 2005, taking account
arrangements for their
monitoring and development. of performance indicators
included in the Offices‟
Statement of Strategy and
Business Plans.
The Office has addressed
The Office is pursuing an all of the recommendations
Implementation Plan arising arising from the Mullarkey
from the Report on the Report. The Reviews on
Accountability of Secretaries January, 2005 Y internal financial
General and Accounting procedures in the Office
Officers. This has included a and in the Law Reform
32
1Para Commitment Specific Action Date Achieved Specific Progress/New If not yet achieved
[unless stated Yes – Y Specifications or did not meet
Departments to No - N commitment date
identify dates for Not please provide
achievement of applicable further details
specific actions] yet – N/A
review of internal financial Commission were
procedures both in the Office concluded and
and the Law Reform
recommendations
Commission, an enhanced
approved by the Audit
internal audit function,
installation of a Financial Committee are being
Management System including progressed. The asset
an asset tracker module, tracker software was
initiation of implementation of installed in the FMS in
MIF and identification of January, 2005, and a
potential risks.
workshop for users was
held on 15 February, 2005.
Risk Management
Strategies have been
adopted in the Office in the
context of Group/Unit
Risk Management Strategies will
be put in place. Business Plans. Disaster
and Recovery Plans have
End 2004 Y been put in place in the
Library and Know-how Unit
and Registry.
Nifast, Health and Safety
Consultants, have
undertaken a safety audit
of risks and made
suggestions for the revision
of the Office‟s Health and
33
1Para Commitment Specific Action Date Achieved Specific Progress/New If not yet achieved
[unless stated Yes – Y Specifications or did not meet
Departments to No - N commitment date
identify dates for Not please provide
achievement of applicable further details
specific actions] yet – N/A
Safety Statement and these
are now being considered
by the Office.
The Radiological Protection
Institute of Ireland
undertook a measurement
of the level of Radon in the
Office from November,
2004, to March, 2005. The
results, received on 18
March, 2005, confirmed
that the levels were within
recommended levels.
The Office, in conjunction
with the CSSO, is in the
process of commissioning
assistance in devising
whole-of-Office Risk
Management Strategies.
These will take account of
the work already done by
the Offices via the business
planning process which
involved specific tailoring
34
1Para Commitment Specific Action Date Achieved Specific Progress/New If not yet achieved
[unless stated Yes – Y Specifications or did not meet
Departments to No - N commitment date
identify dates for Not please provide
achievement of applicable further details
specific actions] yet – N/A
of the Department of
Finance Guidelines on Risk
Management.
The Office, in conjunction
with the CSSO, will also
commission assistance to
undertake a risk analysis
with a view to updating IT
Disaster Recover Plans fro
the Offices. The tendering
for this will commence by
end-July 2005.
The Law Reform
Commission has carried out
a preliminary risk analysis
of its IT and Library
operations, Financial
administration and Health
and Safety procedures.
Further risk assessments to
be carried out by
Commission by the end of
2005.
35
1Para Commitment Specific Action Date Achieved Specific Progress/New If not yet achieved
[unless stated Yes – Y Specifications or did not meet
Departments to No - N commitment date
identify dates for Not please provide
achievement of applicable further details
specific actions] yet – N/A
Specifications have been
agreed in respect of all
areas in both the Office
and the CSSO, workflows
have been reviewed
between both Offices with
a view to streamlining the
progress of State
A new Case and Records
litigation, ensuring that The piloting of
Management System, which
covers all Office records, both New system to N reminder notifications to the new Case and
legal and non-legal, will be be piloted in keep track of both internal Records
installed in the Office in December, 2004, and external Management
conjunction with the CSSO. It and be rolled out correspondence are System (ACME)
will enhance the quantity and in April, 2005, provided for, and Records was deferred to
quality of management
and new costing Management Policies have 11 April, 2005,
information and facilitate the
introduction of a comprehensive facilities to be been developed. Specific due to technical
costing package. developed in Training for those involved infrastructure
2005. in the pilot will take place difficulties
in early-April. All staff will currently being
be trained on the new addressed by
system before it is rolled developers.
out to their areas.
The Law Reform
Commission is at an
36
1Para Commitment Specific Action Date Achieved Specific Progress/New If not yet achieved
[unless stated Yes – Y Specifications or did not meet
Departments to No - N commitment date
identify dates for Not please provide
achievement of applicable further details
specific actions] yet – N/A
advanced stage in the
review of its tendering
procedures.
The Law Reform Commission
will review all of its tendering End January,
procedures and prepare
2005 Y
protocols for same.
Better Regulation
3 The Government is committed The White Paper on Better N/A The Law Reform
(Ref. to publishing a National Policy Regulation which was published Commission will
20.16) Statement on Better in January, 2004, included continue to
Regulation in 2003. proposals in respect of endeavour to
4 A model of Regulatory Impact improving the accessibility and include draft
(Ref. Analysis (RIA) will be introduced coherence of Irish Statute law. legislation in its
20.17) on a pilot basis in a number of These proposals have a final Reports.
Government Departments during substantial impact on the work
2003. In the light of the pilot of the Office and, in particular,
phase, a model of RIA the Statute Law Revision Unit.
appropriate to the Irish context However, the Office as a whole
will be introduced. is not involved in the piloting
the RIA model.
37
1Para Commitment Specific Action Date Achieved Specific Progress/New If not yet achieved
[unless stated Yes – Y Specifications or did not meet
Departments to No - N commitment date
identify dates for Not please provide
achievement of applicable further details
specific actions] yet – N/A
5 Well-drafted, easily understood There has been an increase in Y Defence Acts Restatement,
(Ref. and accessible regulation can work related to the policy of Succession Act
20.18) reduce the difficulties and Restatement following the Restatement and Tourist
costs of compliance for both enactment of the Statute Law Traffic Acts Restatement
businesses and citizens. (Restatement) Act 2002. The From November, displayed since end-2004
Building on progress in recent Office is involved in 2004 onwards on Office website along
years and utilising the - advising Departments on with the earlier Sale of
provisions of the Statute Law the strategy to be adopted Goods Acts Restatement.
(Restatement) Act, a to improve access to Work proceeding on Unfair
structured programme legislation through a policy Dismissals Acts
targeted on areas where the of restatement, Restatement and Dumping
benefits to business and the - advising Departments on at Sea Acts Restatement
citizen are likely to be greatest technical aspects of but both of these must
will be pursued to achieve Restatements and, await the enactment of
these improvements in - certification of Bills which are currently
regulations. Restatements by the before the Houses of the
Attorney General as is Oireachtas. The SLRU is
required by law. reviewing with relevant
Government Departments
as to whether other
Restatements can be
progressed.
38
1Para Commitment Specific Action Date Achieved Specific Progress/New If not yet achieved
[unless stated Yes – Y Specifications or did not meet
Departments to No - N commitment date
identify dates for Not please provide
achievement of applicable further details
specific actions] yet – N/A
The Statute Law Revision
(Pre-1922) Bill 2004 which
Arising from an audit of pre- End 2004 Y identified 90 redundant
1922 legislation undertaken by Acts as suitable for repeal
the SLRU in 2003 was presented to the
- a Statute Law Revision Bill Seanad on 23 November,
repealing obsolete 2004. The Second Stage of
legislation is being prepared the Bill is scheduled to be
for publication. taken in the Seanad on 13
April, 2005.
Arising from the advice
given to Government and
subsequent to the
Advice is being prepared for End 2004 Y publication of the Bill, the
Government as to what should Office began a further
be done in relation to pre-1922 detailed study of the
legislation still in force and unrevised texts of the pre-
needed. 1922 legislation. It is
anticipated that at least
100 additional Acts will be
identified from the initial
stages of this exercise as
suitable for repeal. A short
consultation period with
Government Departments
will be followed by a
39
1Para Commitment Specific Action Date Achieved Specific Progress/New If not yet achieved
[unless stated Yes – Y Specifications or did not meet
Departments to No - N commitment date
identify dates for Not please provide
achievement of applicable further details
specific actions] yet – N/A
Committee Stage
amendment in the Seanad
to the Statute Law (Pre-
1922) Revision Bill 2004 to
include those Acts in the
Schedule to the Bill. It is
expected that the Bill will
be enacted before the
summer recess.
The Office plans to devise a
comprehensive database of
all pre-1922 public general
legislation. Work is due to
commence in April, 2005.
This database will provide
a template for future
Statute Law revision and
will be electronically
accessible by end-2005.
Arising from the continued
study of the pre-1922
legislation, it is anticipated
that a further Revision Bill
may be required to repeal a
considerable number of
additional Acts. An
40
1Para Commitment Specific Action Date Achieved Specific Progress/New If not yet achieved
[unless stated Yes – Y Specifications or did not meet
Departments to No - N commitment date
identify dates for Not please provide
achievement of applicable further details
specific actions] yet – N/A
assessment is also
underway in relation to the
possibility of publishing by
end-2005 a new type of
Revision Bill which would
depart from the normal
Statute Law Revision
mechanism of repeal,
which is essentially
negative. Instead, this Bill
would positively list all
remaining legislation in
order to give clarity to
citizens and legal
professionals as to what
pre-1922 legislation
remains in force.
Projects to assess pre-1922
local, personal and private
Acts, and pre-1922
secondary legislation, will
be devised after the
completion of the study of
the public and general
issues statutes.
It is envisaged that a
41
1Para Commitment Specific Action Date Achieved Specific Progress/New If not yet achieved
[unless stated Yes – Y Specifications or did not meet
Departments to No - N commitment date
identify dates for Not please provide
achievement of applicable further details
specific actions] yet – N/A
programme of re-
enactment and repeal of
remaining pre-1922
legislation would be
subsequently commenced
on a Department-by-
Department basis.
A draft of the consultants
Report on Restatements
Policy is under
consideration.
The Office commissioned End 2004 Y Priority being
consultants to prepare a given to passage
Business Case and Draft of Statute Law
Request for Tender in relation Revision (Pre
to Restatements. Proposals will 1922) Bill 2004
be made to the Attorney and preparation of
General. possible
amendment
thereto.
42
1Para Commitment Specific Action Date Achieved Specific Progress/New If not yet achieved
[unless stated Yes – Y Specifications or did not meet
Departments to No - N commitment date
identify dates for Not please provide
achievement of applicable further details
specific actions] yet – N/A
The Office of the Parliamentary Mid-2006 N/A
Counsel will participate in any
further consultation process
that may take place in relation
to changes in layout and 2003 Chronological Tables,
presentation of Bills that may Statutes and Statutory
be made by the Houses of the Instruments placed on Office
Oireachtas. website in December, 2004.
Indexing work for 2004
The Office will pending the Tables in progress. Office
establishment of an appropriate November, 2004 Y Project Group being
national website, continue to onwards established to examine
make available the future development of the
Chronological Tables, Statutes Electronic Statute Book.
and Statutory Instruments on
its website. Drafting of the Social
Welfare Consolidation Bill
2005 is well advanced. It
consolidates 19 Acts
enacted since 1993 up to
In line with the greater the Social Welfare and
awareness of the need to November, 2004 N/A Pensions Bill 2005 which
improve the accessibility and onwards has just been enacted. It is
coherence of legislation, expected that the
following the publication of Consolidation Bill will be
Reducing Red Tape an Action published by July, 2005.
Plan for Regulatory Reform in
Ireland (1999), Regulatory
43
1Para Commitment Specific Action Date Achieved Specific Progress/New If not yet achieved
[unless stated Yes – Y Specifications or did not meet
Departments to No - N commitment date
identify dates for Not please provide
achievement of applicable further details
specific actions] yet – N/A
Reform in Ireland (OECD, 2001)
and Towards Better Regulation
(2002) and the Law Reform
Commission‟s Report on
Statutory Drafting and
Interpretation: Plain Language
and the Law, it is anticipated
that the Office will experience
an increase in consolidation and
revision/reform work. Moreover,
work involving both drafting
and legal advice expertise is
currently underway in the areas
of company law, the codification
of all substantive criminal law
and all law relating to the sale Preliminary work by the
of alcohol and consumer law. Law Reform Commission
on the review of the Courts
The Law Reform Commission in Acts has commenced.
its Second Programme for Law
Reform 2000-2007 and under
the heading, Access to Justice, Commencing N/A
will undertake a comprehensive 2005
review of the Courts Acts. This
will involve a review of relevant The Law Reform
pre-1922 Statutes. Commission published
Consultation Papers on
In the context of its Trust Law Trust Law and Charitable
44
1Para Commitment Specific Action Date Achieved Specific Progress/New If not yet achieved
[unless stated Yes – Y Specifications or did not meet
Departments to No - N commitment date
identify dates for Not please provide
achievement of applicable further details
specific actions] yet – N/A
project the Law Reform Trust Law in February,
Commission will also consider 2005.
what pre-1922 Statutes needs
replacement and reform. Commencing N/A The Law Reform
2005 Commission is working on
the eConveyancing Report
The Law Reform Commission, in which is scheduled for
the context of e-Government publication by the end of
commenced in 2003 an e- 2005. The Report will also
conveyancing project which will include draft legislation.
have a major input on N/A
conveyancing when The Law Reform
implemented. Commission has invited
The Commission‟s Consultation tenders in respect of the
Paper on the substantive law preparation of an electronic
element of this project was Process Model to simulate
launched in October 2004. This the e-conveyancing
includes a review of over 150 systems analysis from both
pre-1922 Statutes. Following a a practical implementation
Conference on modernising land and legal point of view. It
law in November, 2004, the is envisaged that the
final phase of the substantive Commission will enter into
law element is the preparation a contract with the
of a Report by the Commission. Late 2005 successful tenderer in the
This will include draft second half of 2005. The
legislation. funding for this contract
was made available by the
Information Society.
45
1Para Commitment Specific Action Date Achieved Specific Progress/New If not yet achieved
[unless stated Yes – Y Specifications or did not meet
Departments to No - N commitment date
identify dates for Not please provide
achievement of applicable further details
specific actions] yet – N/A
Stable Industrial Relations
6 The parties are committed to The Office and the Law Reform November, 2004 Y Second 2004 Office
(Ref. maintaining a well-managed Commission will monitor the onwards Management/Union
19.3, industrial relations position to ensure that no issue meeting held on 28
19.6 environment to minimise leads to industrial action. In the September, 2004. The first
and disputes affecting the level of Office biannual meetings between meeting of 2005 is being
20.5) service to the public. management and Union arranged for 5 April, 2005.
In this regard the agreement representatives will continue.
provides that: The Law Reform
(i)No cost increasing claims for Commission management
improvements in pay or and staff will continue to
conditions of employment will foster good industrial
be made or processed during relations.
the course of the Agreement.
The partnership approach will be The Office Partnership
(ii)Precludes strikes or other used in the Office and in the Law November, 2004 Y Committee and Sub-
forms of industrial action on Reform Commission to foster onwards Committees continue to
any matter covered by the good industrial relations. consider important issues.
Agreement.
The Law Reform Commission will The Law Reform
prepare a book of administrative Early 2005 N Commission has carried out
protocols for best practice in the preliminary work on
46
1Para Commitment Specific Action Date Achieved Specific Progress/New If not yet achieved
[unless stated Yes – Y Specifications or did not meet
Departments to No - N commitment date
identify dates for Not please provide
achievement of applicable further details
specific actions] yet – N/A
consultation with staff. the preparation of a book
of administrative-
protocols. To be completed
in 2005.
Performance Management
Systems
7 Where these are not already in The PMDS has been in place in January, 2005 Y Training on Upward
(Ref. place, the parties agree that the Office since 2001. The Feedback made available to
20.7) appropriate performance Office will introduce the all Office staff from 30
management systems will be centrally produced November, 2004, last 5 to
introduced so that developed implementation plan for upward attend session on 21
performance management feedback, subject to any March, 2005. Upward
systems will be fully operating necessary adaptations, by Feedback to be given at
in each sector of the public integration into the Office‟s Interim Review stage in
service by 1st January, 2005 existing PMDS systems in 2005 PMDS cycle. Three
respect of the 2005 cycle. representatives of
Partnership PMDS Sub-
Group attended Upward
Feedback Seminar on 22
February, 2005, and Report
made to Sub-Group.
The Action Plan has been
47
1Para Commitment Specific Action Date Achieved Specific Progress/New If not yet achieved
[unless stated Yes – Y Specifications or did not meet
Departments to No - N commitment date
identify dates for Not please provide
achievement of applicable further details
specific actions] yet – N/A
The Office‟s PMDS November, 2004 Y monitored with most of its
Implementation Working Group, onwards objectives achieved. In
a Sub-Committee of the particular “open” meetings
Partnership Committee, with are now a regular feature
cross-Office representation, will of each Unit‟s work.
consider issues, monitor the Bullying and Harassment
implementation of the Action workshops were held in
Plan agreed by MAC and September, 2004. The
Partnership arising from the undertaking to give
attitudinal/climate survey of training to management on
PMDS, assess the interpersonal
implementation of existing core skills/communications is to
competencies so as to ensure be incorporated in a
that they continue to lead to Management Training
organisational development in Programme currently being
the chosen direction of the developed. A follow-up
Office, and in relation to its core survey will follow later in
functions. Each year the Office 2005.
and the Law Reform
Commission will choose New staff trained in PMDS
appropriate core competencies on 20 and 21 October,
and implement plans for their Y 2004 and 2 and 3 March,
development. Priority will 2005.
continue to be given to PMDS
training.
Sub-Committee of
A Sub-Committee of the Partnership preparing a
Partnership Committee have End 2004 Y Communications Action
48
1Para Commitment Specific Action Date Achieved Specific Progress/New If not yet achieved
[unless stated Yes – Y Specifications or did not meet
Departments to No - N commitment date
identify dates for Not please provide
achievement of applicable further details
specific actions] yet – N/A
been examining the issue of Plan for consideration by
communications within the Partnership at its meeting
Office. Arising from their on 8 April, 2005.
recommendations which are
currently being considered by
Partnership a communication
strategy will be developed and
put in place.
Communications Skills
Course held on 2 and 10
November, 2004, 7
attended (6 AGO and 1
CSSO).
Discussions between
A Sub-Committee of Partnership management and staff to
have been examining the issue March 2005 Y update procedures on
of Probation Procedures within probation are ongoing with
the Office. Arising from their a view to adoption by end
recommendations procedures of May, 2005.
will be put in place.
Information about expenditure Expenditure of €115,954
on training identified through was incurred in PMDS –
PMDS will be provided in April, 2005 related training in 2004
49
1Para Commitment Specific Action Date Achieved Specific Progress/New If not yet achieved
[unless stated Yes – Y Specifications or did not meet
Departments to No - N commitment date
identify dates for Not please provide
achievement of applicable further details
specific actions] yet – N/A
Progress Reports. onwards and €21,150 to date in
2005.
The Law Reform Commission
commenced implementation of
the PMDS in early 2002 and has
consulted with its staff. As a
result, the Commission has
agreed a core competency
profile for each member of staff.
From the information obtained a The Law Reform
detailed Training Plan will be Commission will review its
put in place. This Plan will be end December N PMDS core competencies
reviewed on a quarterly basis in 2004 and an appropriate PMDS
light of the core functions of the Training Plan will be in
Commission. place by mid-2005.
Modernisation and
Flexibility
8 The parties are committed to Significant flexibility already Y Significant flexibility
(Ref. increased flexibility to ensure exists in the Office and in the continues to be
20.6) that public services are Law Reform Commission in that demonstrated in areas such
delivered in a manner which staff co-operate to ensure that as implementation of IT
more closely reflects the needs projects are completed on time projects in the Office. A
of its customers. In and also fill in for absent notable example was the
accordance with this: colleagues on leave etc. Where involvement of a significant
50
1Para Commitment Specific Action Date Achieved Specific Progress/New If not yet achieved
[unless stated Yes – Y Specifications or did not meet
Departments to No - N commitment date
identify dates for Not please provide
achievement of applicable further details
specific actions] yet – N/A
appropriate, this flexibility will number of staff in data
be enhanced. Training will migration, review of
continue to be provided for fileplan, workflows and
relevant staff. screenshots, user
acceptance testing and
writing scripts for the Case
and Records Management
(ACME) project.
The Law Reform
Y Commission staff will
continue to provide
flexibility to ensure that
work projects are
completed on schedule.
An Office Action Plan in
In the context of the effects From November Y respect of the impact of
that decentralisation will have 2004 onwards decentralisation is being
on staffing in the administrative drafted. Each Group/Unit
side of the Office, existing staff in the Office is to be
will document practices, required to document
procedures and precedents and practices, procedures and
training will be given to other precedents for each
staff to enable them to effect position. Staff members
the duties involved. Staff will be interested in decentralising
moved in order to ensure that have been identified and an
51
1Para Commitment Specific Action Date Achieved Specific Progress/New If not yet achieved
[unless stated Yes – Y Specifications or did not meet
Departments to No - N commitment date
identify dates for Not please provide
achievement of applicable further details
specific actions] yet – N/A
any impact due to evaluation of the risk based
decentralisation is spread on those likely to transfer
throughout the Office. to „Early Mover‟
Departments/Offices has
been made.
Team working, cross-
functional and cross-
departmental working
9 All of the parties will co- The Office commits itself to the November, 2004 Y Teamworking course held
(Ref. operate fully with initiatives in continuation of team working onwards on 27 January, 2005,
21.5) these areas and it remains which is an Office competency attended by 6 AGO staff, 4
open to management to under PMDS, and cross- CSSO staff and 1 Law
implement such initiatives in functional working initiatives Reform Commission.
accordance with the provisions such as the introduction of new
of this Agreement. IT systems and policies. The Y The Law Reform
Law Reform Commission Commission is currently
separately commits itself addressing IT issues and
likewise. policies to enable more
efficient work practices to
be put in place. To be
completed by the end of
2005.
The Office will continue to November, 2004 Y This participation
participate in cross- onwards continues.
Departmental initiatives.
52
1Para Commitment Specific Action Date Achieved Specific Progress/New If not yet achieved
[unless stated Yes – Y Specifications or did not meet
Departments to No - N commitment date
identify dates for Not please provide
achievement of applicable further details
specific actions] yet – N/A
The Office will continue to November, 2004 Y This process will continue.
promote the use of project onwards
management.
In line with the Office‟s November, 2004 Legal group meetings have
Knowledge Management onwards been held regularly. The
Strategy, group and other attendance of the Know-
meetings in the Office will how Officer/Legal
continue to be developed to Researcher at these
promote a culture of knowledge meetings assists with the
sharing. This will assist in development of the legal
promoting team-working, know-how database and
circulation of information on the provision of legal
technical business unit issues research services. One
and on wider Office issues. It Legal Researcher has
will also be a factor in recently been briefing a
facilitating flexibility and legal group on current
mobility of staff. developments relevant to
them on a pilot basis and
this service will be further
developed as appropriate.
Meetings of administrative
staff with management will
take place on 4 April, 2005.
Partnership Committee on
53
1Para Commitment Specific Action Date Achieved Specific Progress/New If not yet achieved
[unless stated Yes – Y Specifications or did not meet
Departments to No - N commitment date
identify dates for Not please provide
achievement of applicable further details
specific actions] yet – N/A
The new Human Resources End 2004 Y 15 March, 2005, approved
Strategy to be agreed by the new Human Resources
Partnership will focus on issues Strategy. Many facets of
such as mobility within the the Strategy are already
Office. The Strategy will be From January, being implemented. Work
implemented progressively. 2005. will now commence on
formulating an Action Plan
to implement any aspects
The Law Reform Commission Mid 2005 N/A of the Strategy not already
will prepare a Human Resources in place.
Policy document.
New Technology and
eGovernment
10 It is accepted that the use of Some major IT based initiatives End 2005
(Ref. new are underway at present in the
21.6 technology may necessitate Office, in conjunction with the
CSSO, on foot of its current IT
and significant change in work Commence N As indicated piloting of
Plan. These include the
21.7) processes in order that the implementation of a new Case implementation ACME deferred to 11 April,
benefits of technology will be and Records Management of Case and 2005. Specific training for
maximised. System, a new Financial Records all those engaged in ACME
54
1Para Commitment Specific Action Date Achieved Specific Progress/New If not yet achieved
[unless stated Yes – Y Specifications or did not meet
Departments to No - N commitment date
identify dates for Not please provide
achievement of applicable further details
specific actions] yet – N/A
There will be full co-operation Management System, an e- Management pilot project arranged for
with the design and Legislation system, a Human System in early April, 2005.
Resources Management System
implementation of December 2004
and a Legal Know-how
eGovernment projects. on a pilot basis
Application. Also, the Office has
prepared a Knowledge and fully from
Management Strategy 2003 – April, 2005.
2005 in conjunction with the Implementation
CSSO. The implementation of of Financial
this strategy will ensure that Management Y FMS being implemented.
both Offices capture, organise
System and roll
and share knowledge,
experience and expertise. All of out of
these systems offer Management
opportunities for process review Information
and improvement and these Framework to Y MIF being rolled out.
opportunities are being, and will Mid 2005.
continue to be, availed of where
Implementation
appropriate. All staff commit
themselves to adopting the new of Human
procedures arising from the Resources N/A Following a
implementation of new IT Management consultant‟s
systems within the Office, in System from Mid evaluation CMOD
particular, full compliance with 2006. substantially
training obligations and other
Implement Legal revised the roll-
aspects which fall out of the
implementation of the Plan in Know-how out of a Civil
relation to the Case and Application from Service HRMS.
Records Management System, End 2005. Although this has
Management Information Implement resulted in delays
Framework, e-Legislation, e- Knowledge generally it is
Cabinet etc., full compliance
Management anticipated that
55
1Para Commitment Specific Action Date Achieved Specific Progress/New If not yet achieved
[unless stated Yes – Y Specifications or did not meet
Departments to No - N commitment date
identify dates for Not please provide
achievement of applicable further details
specific actions] yet – N/A
with the changeover from Lotus Strategy by end Y Issues of a Legal Bulletin the Office will still
Notes to Microsoft Outlook and 2005. prepared jointly with the meets its
training as to Microsoft Outlook
Implementation CSSO were circulated to previously advised
and full co-operation with IT
of training in new staff on 17 December, target of Mid-
training to ensure levels of IT
proficiency. systems to 2004, 27 January and 1 2006.
continue to Mid March, 2005. It will
2006. continue to be issued on a
monthly basis during 2005.
Three New Legal Reference
Y Guides have been
substantially completed
and another will be
updated by Easter.
All staff trained on
Y Microsoft Outlook.
All relevant staff trained
Y and operate new eCabinet
system. Office manual
made available to relevant
The development of an staff.
interface between the new Case
Mid 2005
Records Management System
and the Financial Management The interface between
System will enhance the N/A ACME and FMS is
quantity and quality of developed. Testing of the
management information and interface is taking place in
facilitate the introduction of a the context of the pilot of
comprehensive costing package
the new ACME system over
56
1Para Commitment Specific Action Date Achieved Specific Progress/New If not yet achieved
[unless stated Yes – Y Specifications or did not meet
Departments to No - N commitment date
identify dates for Not please provide
achievement of applicable further details
specific actions] yet – N/A
thus ensuring that the Office the period to 11 April,
meets its MIF requirements. 2005.
The Law Reform Commission
will continue to develop the IT
efficiencies of its Library The Law Reform
administration. This will enable Mid 2006 Y Commission, with the
access from all desktops using assistance of the Office,
the Sirsi and Unicorn networks has access to the Sirsi and
which are hosted by the Office.
Unicorn networks.
The Office‟s Library and
Y Know-how Unit continues
its support for the
development of Unicorn in
the Law Reform
Commission by providing
detailed advice on
implementation of the
acquisitions and serials
modules and providing
training to Commission
The Office is committed to fully
staff on the acquisitions
supporting and facilitating the
module and self-issue
e-Government agenda,
system.
particularly e-Cabinet and e-
The Law Reform
Legislation. The Office is a key
Mid 2006 N/A Commission will carry out a The Office of the
driving force behind e-
review of the efficiencies of Parliamentary
Legislation and will maintain
its IT desktop publishing Counsel is
57
1Para Commitment Specific Action Date Achieved Specific Progress/New If not yet achieved
[unless stated Yes – Y Specifications or did not meet
Departments to No - N commitment date
identify dates for Not please provide
achievement of applicable further details
specific actions] yet – N/A
close contact with other templates. This will be engaged in the
stakeholders including the Office completed by mid-2005. ACME project.
of the Houses of the Oireachtas When that project
and Government Departments. is implemented
the status and
direction of
eLegislation
project will be
considered.
As indicated the relevant
Office staff have been
Y trained and operate the
eCabinet system. An Office
manual has been made
The Office will continue to co- available to them.
operate with the Courts Service
in the development of its IT
strategy. Members of the The Supreme Court
Office‟s legal and IT staff are Computerisation Working
members of and participate in November, 2004 N Group is in abeyance
the work of the Supreme Court onwards. pending further
Group on Computerisation. development and
preparation for the
The Office is committed to implementation of a new
improving access to legislation system.
through:
58
1Para Commitment Specific Action Date Achieved Specific Progress/New If not yet achieved
[unless stated Yes – Y Specifications or did not meet
Departments to No - N commitment date
identify dates for Not please provide
achievement of applicable further details
specific actions] yet – N/A
work underway to add the
2003 Chronological Tables
on the Office web page.
The 2004 Statutes will be 2003 material displayed on
added to the web page by Office website from
the third quarter of 2005. End November, Y December, 2004. Indexing
advising Government on a 2004. work for 2004 Tables in
policy to be adopted as September, 2005 progress.
regards pre-1922 legislation
Statute Law Revision (Pre
December, 2004. 1922) Bill 2004 presented
Y to the Seanad in November,
2004. Work commenced
on preparation of another
Revision Bill.
In January, 2005, the
Office undertook a pilot
project to establish
Y accurately the scope of the
next stage of the Pre-1922
programme.
Atypical Working
Arrangements
11 The work pattern may be such Job-sharing is a feature in the End November, N Telecom/IT infrastructure
59
1Para Commitment Specific Action Date Achieved Specific Progress/New If not yet achieved
[unless stated Yes – Y Specifications or did not meet
Departments to No - N commitment date
identify dates for Not please provide
achievement of applicable further details
specific actions] yet – N/A
(Ref. in specific areas that specific Office and staff also avail of 2004 being put in place with a
21.8) work processes can be parental leave and term time. view to piloting the
performed most effectively by The Office is also piloting eworking scheme from
part time staff. teleworking from end April, 2005.
November, 2004.
Y Currently 18 staff
members avail of atypical
working arrangements
such as work sharing,
parental leave and special
leave. A further 5 will be
availing of term-time
arrangements during the
summer.
The Law Reform Commission is 2005 N/A The Law Reform
aware of the potential for Commission has carried
assisting the work of its part- out preliminary work for
time Commissioners and legal the introduction of
experts by introducing external external network access
network access. by installing a new server.
12 Situations may arise where the Following consultation with the Y This process continues.
(Ref. need to respond to temporary unions contract workers are
21.9) pressures may require the employed in the Office and
employment of temporary staff some work is outsourced. This
or outsourcing of work. consultation will continue.
60
1Para Commitment Specific Action Date Achieved Specific Progress/New If not yet achieved
[unless stated Yes – Y Specifications or did not meet
Departments to No - N commitment date
identify dates for Not please provide
achievement of applicable further details
specific actions] yet – N/A
Unions will be notified in
advance of initiatives of this
kind.
Attendance Patterns
13 In order to provide a The Office does not have many Y This process continues.
(Ref. satisfactory level of service to direct dealings with members of
21.10) the public, there is a need in the public and this is, therefore,
certain areas for changes to not a significant issue. In the
the standard working day in past, developments with a
order to provide services potential impact on attendance
outside the traditional “9 to 5” patterns such as changes to the
pattern. The parties are operation of the flexible working
committed to discussions to hours system have been
establish how this can best be discussed with staff in advance.
achieved, where required. This approach will be continued
in the future and any proposed
change in attendance patterns
will be reviewed through
Partnership.
The Office and the Law Reform
Commission operate systems Y The Office and the Law
whereby certain staff are Reform Commission
available where necessary out continue to maintain staff
of core hours. flexibility on working out
61
1Para Commitment Specific Action Date Achieved Specific Progress/New If not yet achieved
[unless stated Yes – Y Specifications or did not meet
Departments to No - N commitment date
identify dates for Not please provide
achievement of applicable further details
specific actions] yet – N/A
of core hours.
Redeployment of Staff
14 Redeployment of staff may be The Office and the Law Reform November, 2004 Y The Office and the Law
(Ref. necessary on occasion to Commission have and will continue onwards Reform Commission
21.11) respond to urgent work to reorganise themselves to respond continue to reorganise
demands. to urgent work demands. work schedules in order
to respond to urgent
work demands.
Management of the
Introduction of Change and
New Development
15 In accordance with the Changes and developments in November, 2004 Y These processes continue
(Ref. partnership approach, unions the Office and the Law Reform onwards insofar as the Office is
21.12) will be informed in advance of Commission are discussed as concerned.
all new significant workplace appropriate with unions and
related initiatives, the reasons staff and also in the case of the The Law Reform
for them and the proposed Office through the Partnership Commission holds regular
implementation date. Committee. Extensive use is meetings to brief all staff
Notification will be given in made of the Intranet and e-mail of developments in work
advance and in sufficient time systems for keeping all staff in practices.
to allow discussions with the the Office informed of
union(s) concerned to take developments.
place. Such discussions will
62
1Para Commitment Specific Action Date Achieved Specific Progress/New If not yet achieved
[unless stated Yes – Y Specifications or did not meet
Departments to No - N commitment date
identify dates for Not please provide
achievement of applicable further details
specific actions] yet – N/A
cover the nature of the
changes involved, the reasons
for them and any impact on
staff. The discussions will be
approached in a partnership
manner and will be concluded
in time to allow the changes to
be introduced by the date
specified. Subject to this, it is
accepted that management
have the right to implement
changes in accordance with
the provisions of the
Agreement.
e-Government
16 The parties are committed to See paras 21.6 and 21.7 November, 2004 Y See comments on section
(Ref. the further development of The Office and the Law Reform onwards. 20.13 on Office and Law
20.19) eGovernment on the following Commission will continue to Reform Commission
basis: regularly review their websites websites.
F( i) facilitating better citizen to ensure that the information
access and interaction with the contained therein is kept up to
public service by realising the date. The Office‟s website will
potential of information and be redeveloped by end
communication technologies November, 2004, while the
(ICTs); Commission‟s was redeveloped
(ii) building collaborative earlier.
knowledge-based structures
63
1Para Commitment Specific Action Date Achieved Specific Progress/New If not yet achieved
[unless stated Yes – Y Specifications or did not meet
Departments to No - N commitment date
identify dates for Not please provide
achievement of applicable further details
specific actions] yet – N/A
focused on serving both The Office and the Law Reform
citizens and the public service; Commission will continue to November, 2004 Y The Office in, conjunction
and develop the Intranet as an onwards. with the CSSO, has
(iii) facilitating continuous important channel of internal established a Project Group
adaptation and improvement in communication. to further redevelop the
service delivery by fully Intranet. It is proposed to
utilising ICTs to deliver public convene the first meeting
services seamlessly and across by end-March, 2005.
traditional boundaries.
The Law Reform
Y Commission has carried out
preliminary work in
developing an Office
intranet which should be
fully in place by the end of
2005. The intranet will
also include international
legal research links for
both academic and law
reform agencies to
facilitate ease of access for
the Commission‟s legal
research team.
See comments above at
16 a The parties commit to full co- sections 21.6 and 21.7 on
64
1Para Commitment Specific Action Date Achieved Specific Progress/New If not yet achieved
[unless stated Yes – Y Specifications or did not meet
Departments to No - N commitment date
identify dates for Not please provide
achievement of applicable further details
specific actions] yet – N/A
(Ref. operation with the further eCabinet and eLegislation.
22.24) development and See paras 21.6 and 21.7
implementation of
eGovernment policy as
outlined in „New Connections‟,
the Government‟s Action Plan
to realise the potential of the
Information Society.
Verification of Change
Mechanisms etc.
17 The parties agree to the The Office will adhere to the November, 2004 Y The Partnership Sub-Group
(Ref. establishment of a mechanism procedures set out in Section 26 onwards. met on 8 and 18 March,
20.25) to verify that all sectors, of „Sustaining Progress‟. 2005, to review this
organisations and grades in Progress will be monitored by a Progress Report. Progress
the public service deliver Sub-Group of the Partnership in implementing the Action
outputs in line with the Committee. Plan was also reviewed by
provisions of this Agreement. the Office Partnership
This mechanism will be Committee, MAC and the
established in accordance with joint AGO/CSSO MAC.
Section 26.
65
1Para Commitment Specific Action Date Achieved Specific Progress/New If not yet achieved
[unless stated Yes – Y Specifications or did not meet
Departments to No - N commitment date
identify dates for Not please provide
achievement of applicable further details
specific actions] yet – N/A
18 Open recruitment will be On receipt of the promised N/A Guidelines not yet
(Ref. introduced for appointments Department of Finance guidelines received from
22.10) above existing entry levels and the Office will, in consultation with Department of
one-year contracts will be Partnership, implement guidelines Finance.
extended to all new recruits to on one-year contracts on open
the Civil Service starting on 1 recruitment.
January, 2004.
19 In order to deal with certain In advance of any competitions November, 2004 Y Discussions have taken
(Ref. skills and expertise shortages the Office will have regard to onwards. place with staff
22.11) the following specific measures the skills and competencies representatives and
have been agreed: identified in its skills audit. agreement reached that in
(i)Beginning with IT, HR and principle open recruitment
financial management areas, can take place. The
open recruitment will be agreement is subject to
introduced discussions taking place
(ii)Any need for open with staff representatives
recruitment will be identified as set out at (ii), (iii) and
and communicated to the (iv) across.
relevant union/unions with a In conjunction with the CSSO
view to reaching agreement on the Office is recruiting a End 2004 Y Records Management
the matter speedily. Records Management Officer. Officer has been recruited
(iii)The trade unions are and took up duty on 1
committed to co-operating February, 2005.
with such open recruitment in
circumstances where there is a
need for it.
66
1Para Commitment Specific Action Date Achieved Specific Progress/New If not yet achieved
[unless stated Yes – Y Specifications or did not meet
Departments to No - N commitment date
identify dates for Not please provide
achievement of applicable further details
specific actions] yet – N/A
(iv)In the event that the
parties have difficulties on
such issues, a third party
adjudication mechanism will be
established immediately after
ratification of this Agreement.
This mechanism will make a
final decision on any matter
referred to it within a two
month period.
(v)There will be a review of
these arrangements within 12
months to ensure that
significant progress is made.
20 (vi) The Civil Service may The Office will continue to November, 2004 Y The exit interview
(Ref. recruit in any year a number of conduct exit interviews to capture onwards. procedure is in place.
22.11) staff at the level of Higher information (where necessary)
Executive Officer, Assistant
Principal and Principal Officer The Office will identify members
(and equivalent grades) equal resigning from the Civil Service in February, 2005 Y Appropriate return made to
to the number of staff in those 2004 and 2005, at the level of and 2006 the Department of Finance.
grades who had resigned from HEO, AP and PO (and equivalent
the Civil Service in the grades).
previous year to take up
positions in the private sector
or elsewhere in the public
67
1Para Commitment Specific Action Date Achieved Specific Progress/New If not yet achieved
[unless stated Yes – Y Specifications or did not meet
Departments to No - N commitment date
identify dates for Not please provide
achievement of applicable further details
specific actions] yet – N/A
sector.
(vii) Where posts, which are
normally filled by promotion,
are filled under the terms of
the above arrangements by
open competition, they will be
regarded as fulfilling the
requirements to fill posts by
interdepartmental competitions
and will also count towards the
fulfillment of quotas of posts
to be filled by open
recruitment at lower levels
where appropriate.
21 Discussions will take place so Competitive merit-based November, 2004 Y The necessary procedures
(Ref. that greater use of promotions apply to all grades in onwards for competitive merit-
22.14, competitive, merit-based the Office. based promotions are in
and promotions within Departments place.
22.15) will be introduced and
progressed over the life of the
Agreement. Progress in this
regard must be based on
competitive selection methods
used in Departments
demonstrating best practice in
this area.
Specific measurable progress is
68
1Para Commitment Specific Action Date Achieved Specific Progress/New If not yet achieved
[unless stated Yes – Y Specifications or did not meet
Departments to No - N commitment date
identify dates for Not please provide
achievement of applicable further details
specific actions] yet – N/A
to be made within individual
Departments on a progressive
basis over the life of the
Agreement.
22 In the case of grades that are As above Y Competitive merit-based
(Ref. covered by the Executive promotion system agreed
22.16) Officer dual promotion for Executive Officers in
structure, the following AGO.
arrangements will apply:
(i) Discussions will take place
with a view to concluding an
agreement on extending the
proportion of competitive
merit-based promotions within
Departments by mid-2004 and
their introduction at the first
opportunity thereafter;
(ii) Where competitive
promotion systems do not
apply in Departments they will
be introduced and progressed
over the life of the Agreement.
23 (ii) The proportion of posts The Office will ensure that November, 2004 N/A No relevant APO
(Ref. filled under mobility provisions vacancies fillable from onwards. PO vacancies have
22.17) of interdepartmental promotion interdepartmental competition will yet arisen in the
69
1Para Commitment Specific Action Date Achieved Specific Progress/New If not yet achieved
[unless stated Yes – Y Specifications or did not meet
Departments to No - N commitment date
identify dates for Not please provide
achievement of applicable further details
specific actions] yet – N/A
competitions will be increased be filled from that panel so as to Office.
from 33.3% to 40% from the ensure that 40% of vacancies are
beginning of the next filled by interdepartmental panel
competitions to be held under and in due course increased to
the existing arrangements for 50%.
interdepartmental promotion
schemes. This proportion will
be increased to 50% from the
date equating to the
commencement of the next
subsequent competition for
promotion to Principal level.
In this context, provision, will
be made where feasible for a
scheme of regional
interdepartmental competitions
outside the Dublin area to be
in place as early as possible;
24 In the event that problems The Office will if necessary November, 2004 N/A The issue has not
(Ref. arise in direct discussions in through the Partnership onwards. arisen.
22.17) relation to the manner in Committee refer any issues to a
which any of the above facilitator or to a third party for
provisions are to be adjudication and provide relevant
implemented, the issues information.
involved will be processed with
70
1Para Commitment Specific Action Date Achieved Specific Progress/New If not yet achieved
[unless stated Yes – Y Specifications or did not meet
Departments to No - N commitment date
identify dates for Not please provide
achievement of applicable further details
specific actions] yet – N/A
the aid of a facilitator, and if
necessary, referred to a third
party adjudication in order to
assist the parties meet the
objectives identified above.
Training
25 The parties are committed to The Office‟s Statement of November, 2004 Y All staff in the Office and
(Ref. continued training and Strategy 2003 – 2005 and the onwards. Law Reform Commission
20.20) development for all staff Law Reform Commission‟s are notified of training
Strategy and Business Plan 2003 opportunities. Priority is
25 a The target spend on training – 2005 place particular focus on given to needs identified in
(Ref. and development in the Civil the need for a knowledge-based PMDS Role Profile Forms.
22.20) Service will be 4% of payroll organisation. The importance of
by 2003. ensuring that staff have access to
continued training and
development opportunities is
emphasised.
€299,000 has been made
The Office has set aside 4% of November, 2004 Y available in 2005 for
payroll as a target for the training onwards. training and development
and development of all staff. The (under Subhead A3 of the
training programme is also made Office‟s Vote).
available to the staff of the Law
Reform Commission.
71
1Para Commitment Specific Action Date Achieved Specific Progress/New If not yet achieved
[unless stated Yes – Y Specifications or did not meet
Departments to No - N commitment date
identify dates for Not please provide
achievement of applicable further details
specific actions] yet – N/A
An Office Training and
An Office Training and End 2004 Y Development Plan for 2005
Development Strategy taking has been prepared and
account of the Civil Service copies made available to all
Strategy will form part of the staff and placed on the
Office‟s Human Resources Office Intranet. An Office
Strategy currently being prepared. Legal Information Skills
Partnership will be consulted. The Programme for 2005 is
Strategy will be implemented from January, 2005 currently being prepared.
January, 2005.
Special attention will be directed
at training needs arising from January, 2005 N This will form part
decentralisation of Office staff. of the Action Plan
on
Decentralisation
currently being
finalised.
In 2004, €311,616 was
A breakdown of the overall incurred in training and
expenditure on training e.g. travel April, 2005 Y development well ahead of
and subsistence will be provided onwards the 4% of payroll
72
1Para Commitment Specific Action Date Achieved Specific Progress/New If not yet achieved
[unless stated Yes – Y Specifications or did not meet
Departments to No - N commitment date
identify dates for Not please provide
achievement of applicable further details
specific actions] yet – N/A
in Progress Reports. (€290,000) projected.
Travel and Subsistence
accounted for €74,484,
Seminar Conference and
Training Course Fees
(€164,131), Refund of Fees
(€7,865), IT Training
(€13,591), Trainers
Salaries and Overheads
(€50,642) and Cost of
Courses attended by
Trainers (€903).
A training programme will be put
in place for senior managers. early 2005 N A training
programme for
managers is being
considered by the
Office‟s
Partnership Sub-
Group on Training
and Development.
Partnership
26 The recommendations of the The Office Partnership End 2004 Y Partnership Committee
73
1Para Commitment Specific Action Date Achieved Specific Progress/New If not yet achieved
[unless stated Yes – Y Specifications or did not meet
Departments to No - N commitment date
identify dates for Not please provide
achievement of applicable further details
specific actions] yet – N/A
(Ref. Review of Partnership in the Committee is currently nominated representatives
22.23) Civil Service will be considered examining how it might be to join the restructured
by a Sub- further embedded and it will MIF Project Board.
Group of General Council take account of any agreement
which will present proposals reached at General Council. Partnership Committee
for the development of The Committee is also made a very big
partnership to General Council. considering whether to make contribution to the
any recommendations to the adoption of the Office‟s
unions and management (who Client and Customer
agreed its composition) about Charters and development
representation on the of PMDS Upward Feedback
Committee. criteria for Office.
A representative of the
Partnership Committee
November, 2004 Y who attended the IPA
onwards. Public Policy Seminar on
Workplace Partnership
Processes: The Next
Generation, on 10 March,
2005, will report to the
April Partnership Meeting.
The Partnership Sub-Group
The parties are committed to to monitor the
27 building upon the structures A Sub-Group of Partnership implementation of the
74
1Para Commitment Specific Action Date Achieved Specific Progress/New If not yet achieved
[unless stated Yes – Y Specifications or did not meet
Departments to No - N commitment date
identify dates for Not please provide
achievement of applicable further details
specific actions] yet – N/A
(Ref. that have been established, continues to review progress in Action Plan met on 8 and
20.9) and to further embedding and implementation of this Action 18 March, 2005. This and
refining the process across the Plan. This and other Partnership other Sub-Groups on
public service, in order to Sub-Committees provide an Training and Development
deliver real improvements in opportunity for those who are Client Service, PMDS,
performance at organizational not members of the Partnership Probation and
level, involve staff in the Committee to be involved. Communications and other
change and modernization Office Groups provide an
process and improve the opportunity for staff who
working environment. are not on the Partnership
Committee to be involved.
Equality
28 The parties agree to continue The Office and the Law Reform November, 2004 Y The Office already meets
(Ref. to work to promote equality of Commission will implement onwards. its targets with respect to
22.25) opportunity for all Civil Service policies / targets on equality gender equality and will
staff in accordance with these and diversity. seek to meet and targets
policies. set by the Government in
relation to diversity.
The Office is aware of its November, 2004 Y The Law Reform
obligations in relation to the onwards. Commission is currently
employment of persons with meeting its obligations for
disabilities and keeps the the employment of people
situation under review. The with disabilities.
75
1Para Commitment Specific Action Date Achieved Specific Progress/New If not yet achieved
[unless stated Yes – Y Specifications or did not meet
Departments to No - N commitment date
identify dates for Not please provide
achievement of applicable further details
specific actions] yet – N/A
Office will progressively
implement recommendations of Y The Office has progressed
an OPW Audit on accessibility to much of the
its premises and will continue in recommendations of the
respect of future recruitment OPW Audit on accessibility
competitions to make specific to the premises. In
reference to the facilities November, 2004, a Loop
available. system for persons with
hearing disabilities was
installed in the Reception
Area, Conference and
Training Rooms. Light and
other fittings lowered and
evacuation chairs place on
all floors of the building.
People with disabilities
have commented very
favourably on the
improvements. Other
recommendations such as
replacement of tap handles
and door knobs will be
undertaken this year.
The Office currently
The Office has already achieved exceeds the Government‟s
the Government target of 33% November, 2004 Y target with respect to
of AP posts filled by women. onwards. gender equality. 36% of
76
1Para Commitment Specific Action Date Achieved Specific Progress/New If not yet achieved
[unless stated Yes – Y Specifications or did not meet
Departments to No - N commitment date
identify dates for Not please provide
achievement of applicable further details
specific actions] yet – N/A
The Office will seek to ensure AP level staff are female
that the target level is and 53% of staff above
maintained. HEO level are female.
The relevant information in
The Office and the Law Reform respect of the Office will be
Commission will report on the 2004, 2005 and Y submitted to the Annual
above issues in their respective 2006 Report Editorial Board.
Annual Reports.
28 a The Department of Finance is Currently the Office is 0.5% November, 2004 Y After being above the
(Ref. currently drawing up proposals above the 3% employment onwards. target for some time the
22.27) with a view to developing target for people with Office is currently 0.41%
action plans to ensure that the disabilities. The Office will below the 3% target. The
Government‟s policy, of a 3% when recruiting new employees Office will again draw the
employment target for people seek to meet the target by way attention of Public
with a disability, is of drawing special attention to Appointments Service
implemented as effectively as its facilities to employ and (PAS) to the facilities in the
possible. Particular accommodate persons with Office when next
consideration will be given to disabilities. The Public recruiting.
improving monitoring Appointments Service (PAS)
arrangements. has been informed and all
future competitions will include
reference to the facilities.
The HR Strategy being
28 b The public service will continue prepared, in consultation with end 2004 Y The HR Strategy was
77
1Para Commitment Specific Action Date Achieved Specific Progress/New If not yet achieved
[unless stated Yes – Y Specifications or did not meet
Departments to No - N commitment date
identify dates for Not please provide
achievement of applicable further details
specific actions] yet – N/A
(Ref. to build on the significant the Partnership Committee, will approved by the Partnership
20.21) progress which has been made review issues relating to Committee on 15 March,
in regard to policies on equality and diversity. The January 2005 2005. As requested by the
equality and diversity in order Strategy will be implemented Public Appointments Service
to promote equal opportunity from January, 2005. the Office will for all future
in all aspects of civil and public competitions retain
service employment. statistical information in
relation to equality and
diversity.
78
Sustaining Progress: Chief State Solicitor‟s Office – Fourth Progress Report on Implementation of Revised Action Plan covering the period from
18 September 2004 to 18 March 2005.
Commitment Specific Action Date Achieved Specific Progress If not yet achieved
Yes – Y New Specific Actions or did not meet
No – N commitment date
Not please provide
applicable further details
yet – N/A
Common Commitments
Customer Service
1
[20.13] All public service The Office will publish its By end Y The Office Charter,
organisations over the course first Customer Charter November 2004 including the two
of this Agreement will be Charters for the AGO
required to commit publicly have been placed on
to service standards for their the Office website.
customers. Performance will Arrangements are
be evaluated against these being made to print the
standards and the results Charters in booklet
published in annual reports or format, in Irish and
another appropriate format. English by end-April,
Improvements in customer 2005.
service will be a particular
focus of the partnership
structures going forward
1a
[22.4]
The Office will report on Report in N/A Annual Report for 2004
performance achieved against Annual Report incorporating progress
service standards set out in for 2004 to be achieved against
Customer Charter published by service standards to be
mid 2005 published by 30 June,
79
Commitment Specific Action Date Achieved Specific Progress If not yet achieved
Yes – Y New Specific Actions or did not meet
No – N commitment date
Not please provide
applicable further details
yet – N/A
2005.
All Departments and Offices The Office will publish a New Plan to be N Work on reviewing the Priority given to
will publish a charter of revised Customer Action published by Customer Action Plan will preparation and
service standards and report Plan for the period 2005 – March 2005 be completed by end May, publication of
on performance against these 2007 2005. An Assistant Chief Customer Charter.
standards in their annual State Solicitor has been
report. assigned to oversee the
process.
The Office will undertake a Survey to N Preparations for survey, in Priority given to
follow-up customer survey commence in line with the first preparation and
with a view to gauging March, 2005 anniversary of the first publication of Office
feedback from customers in customer survey have Charter
relation to the delivery of commenced. Following a
services. tendering competition
consultants will be engaged
by mid April 2005 to
undertake the survey on
behalf of the office.
The Office will prepare a In line with A number of legal No direction received
scheme to implement the direction from documents frequently used to date from the
provisions of the Official Minister for Y in the Office have been Minister for
Languages Act Community translated into Irish. A Community, Rural and
Rural & study on the capacity of the Gaeltacht Affairs.
Gaeltacht Office to transact business
80
Commitment Specific Action Date Achieved Specific Progress If not yet achieved
Yes – Y New Specific Actions or did not meet
No – N commitment date
Not please provide
applicable further details
yet – N/A
Affairs through Irish has been
carried out in anticipation
of the introduction of the
scheme. A draft Report of
the study is on the MAC
agenda.
The Office will review By end March N Review has
training needs for service 2005 commenced and will be
support staff completed by end
April, 2005. Relevant
training which has been
identified includes
team working,
customer service,
health and safety,
communications skills,
time management
skills, knowledge
sharing and
procurement
procedures.
The Office will carry out an First audit Y Health & Safety
annual safety audit of completed by Committee established,
premises and will establish a end June, 2005 in consultation with the
81
Commitment Specific Action Date Achieved Specific Progress If not yet achieved
Yes – Y New Specific Actions or did not meet
No – N commitment date
Not please provide
applicable further details
yet – N/A
Health and Safety Committee and H & S Partnership Committee
in consultation with the Committee in February, 2005 and
Partnership Committee constituted by has met. Two issues
end February, were prioritised, these
2005 being the evacuation
procedures for the
Office and the Safety
Statement. Both
documents are being
prepared. A draft
evacuation document
has been drafted and
work is continuing in
respect of the safety
statement. Following
on from achievements
to date MAC has
sanctioned the
engagement of
consultants to advise on
Health & Safety with
particular reference to
systems of work.
Negotiations are
Transfer of responsibility for ongoing with the State
local State Solicitors to DPP Solicitor Association.
Offers made by the
82
Commitment Specific Action Date Achieved Specific Progress If not yet achieved
Yes – Y New Specific Actions or did not meet
No – N commitment date
Not please provide
applicable further details
yet – N/A
State have been
rejected on two
occasions. The current
situation is that a
review of the work
loads and the expense
base of local State
Solicitors has been
authorised by
Department of Finance.
Preparations for this
review are being put in
place.
Efficient Use of Resources
2 The parties to this Agreement
[20.11] will co-operate fully with the The expenditure review Y Terms of Reference for Delays experienced due
modernisation and change process commenced in late three Reviews were to other major work
required to ensure that 2003. An outline plan was forwarded to Department demands.
maximum value is achieved agreed at MAC and of Finance and the Office
from all public expenditure in Partnership. is in consultation with the
terms of defined outputs and Department in this regard.
outcomes.
The Office will complete an Completed by Y Substantial progress made
Expenditure Review for the mid-December, towards completing the
Attorney General‟s Scheme 2004 review and the Project
83
Commitment Specific Action Date Achieved Specific Progress If not yet achieved
Yes – Y New Specific Actions or did not meet
No – N commitment date
Not please provide
applicable further details
yet – N/A
Team expect to have their
draft Review completed by
end April, 2005. To date
data collection analysis and
write up of the Review are
70% completed.
The Office will complete Completed by N/A Project teams are in
Expenditure Reviews for the mid-March, place and will meet on
Provision of Stenographer‟s 2005 week beginning 4th
Services and Costs Recovery April 2005 to review
the draft terms of
reference with a view
to commencing the
reviews. Delays were
due to pressures
associated with the
introduction with the
FMS. Substantial
relevant data has been
collected in respect of
2001-2003 for the
Review on the
provision of
Stenographers
Services. An analysis
of data needs to be
84
Commitment Specific Action Date Achieved Specific Progress If not yet achieved
Yes – Y New Specific Actions or did not meet
No – N commitment date
Not please provide
applicable further details
yet – N/A
undertaken and a
writing up of both
reviews to be escalated.
A new financial management Non-ACME Y Non-ACME (new Case and However, due to the
system has been dependent Records Management rescheduling of the
implemented in conjunction functionality System) dependent ACME project it is
with the AGO, as part of a embedded by functionality embedded envisaged that the
wider implementation of end 2004. since end 2004. ACME dependent
MIF. The new system will ACME functionality will be
facilitate both cash and dependent fully embedded by end
accrual accounting, thereby functionality June, 2005.
providing enhanced financial embedded by
management information. end April, 2005.
Development of interface Interface to be Y Interface has been
with new Case and Records developed and developed since end
Management System in place by end January, 2005. Testing of
(ACME) to meet wider MIF November, interface is taking place in
requirements 2004 the context of the pilot of
the new ACME system
over the period to 11 April,
2005.
85
Commitment Specific Action Date Achieved Specific Progress If not yet achieved
Yes – Y New Specific Actions or did not meet
No – N commitment date
Not please provide
applicable further details
yet – N/A
The Office will, in line with Every two Y Progress report submitted
Government Decision of 11 months to MIF Central Unit,
February, 2003, continue to Department of Finance as
report on progress on appropriate.
implementation of MIF.
A new Case and Records Case and Y The piloting of the new
Management System will Records Case and Records
enhance the quantity and Management Management System
quality of management System to be (ACME) has been
information and facilitate the piloted by mid rescheduled to 11 April,
introduction of a December 2004 2005, due to technical
comprehensive costing and fully rolled infrastructure
package in line with MIF out by end difficulties currently
requirements. April, 2005. being addressed by
Costing developers.
facilities to be Specifications have
developed and been agreed in respect
functional by of other areas in both
end June, 2005 the CSSO and AGO.
The Office will provide MIF Training Y MIF Training courses
Training for MAC and commenced in held on 6/7 October,
Section Heads October, 2004 2004 and on 23/24
and to be February, 2005.
completed by Further session planned
86
Commitment Specific Action Date Achieved Specific Progress If not yet achieved
Yes – Y New Specific Actions or did not meet
No – N commitment date
Not please provide
applicable further details
yet – N/A
end February, for 17/18 May, 2005.
2005 All members of MAC
and some section heads
have received training
to date.
The Office will develop, in Group Y Following a tendering
conjunction with the AGO, convened and competition the CSSO and
appropriate Performance PIs to be the AGO engaged
Indicators with the setting up developed in consultants on 11 March,
of a Sub-Group of the MIF line with central 2005 to identify
Working Group deadlines performance indicators by
July, 2005 taking account
of the performance
indicators included in the
Statement of Strategy and
Business Plans.
The Office is implementing a January, 2005 Y The Office has
Plan arising from the Report addressed all of the
on the Accountability of recommendations
87
Commitment Specific Action Date Achieved Specific Progress If not yet achieved
Yes – Y New Specific Actions or did not meet
No – N commitment date
Not please provide
applicable further details
yet – N/A
Secretaries General and arising from the
Accounting Officers. This Mullarkey Report. The
has included a review of Review on internal
internal financial procedures procedures in the
in the Office, an enhanced Office was concluded
internal audit function, and recommendations
installation of a Financial approved by the Audit
Management System, Committee are being
initiation of implementation progressed. The asset
of MIF and identification of tracker software was
potential risks. installed in the FMS in
January, 2005 and a
workshop for users was
held on 15 February,
2005.
Internal financial
procedures have been
revised following the
introduction of the
FMS.
The Office in
conjunction with the
AGO is in the process
of conducting a full
risk analysis.
88
Commitment Specific Action Date Achieved Specific Progress If not yet achieved
Yes – Y New Specific Actions or did not meet
No – N commitment date
Not please provide
applicable further details
yet – N/A
Business Plans are being Business Plans N The process of
revised to take account of the revised by end reviewing the risk
Department of Finance January, 2005 management content of
Guidelines on Risk current business plans
Management and appropriate is ongoing and will be
RM systems will be put in completed by end June,
place. 2005.
Promote payment by EFT as Facility fully N Many of the structures to Some outstanding
part of development of new implemented enable EFT payments are development work will
FMS for clients by in place. All banking be undertaken by the
end 2004 structures are in place and system vendor and will
technical structures are be in place by end
substantially in place. May, 2005 and EFT
will be fully functional
at that time.
Payment of Counsels’ Fees:
A Group has been Y Guidelines are in place
established to write
guidelines on the levels of
fees to be sanctioned in
personal injury and torts.
Better Regulation
The Government is The Office is not directly From Y The resources of the Office
3 committed to publishing a involved in this initiative. November, continue to remain
[20.16] National Policy Statement on However the Office will 2004 onwards available to support the
89
Commitment Specific Action Date Achieved Specific Progress If not yet achieved
Yes – Y New Specific Actions or did not meet
No – N commitment date
Not please provide
applicable further details
yet – N/A
Better Regulation in 2003. continue to support the work of the Attorney
A model of Regulatory Attorney General in this General. The Office is
4 Impact Analysis (RIA) will matter, specifically by participating in the review
[20.17] be introduced on a pilot basis continuing to designate an of litigation costs
in a number of Government Assistant Chief State sponsored by the
Departments during 2003. In Solicitor with responsibility Department of Justice,
the light of the pilot phase, a to liaise between the Office Equality and Law Reform
model of RIA appropriate to of the Chief State Solicitor and has provided a
the Irish context will be and the Office of the Principal Solicitor for this
introduced. Attorney General. In purpose.
addition, the Office will have
an input into the consultative
process being undertaken by
the Law Reform
Commission in relation to
the modernisation of Irish
Land and Conveyancing
Law. Also, the Office will
continue to participate in the
Department of Justice,
Equality & Law Reform‟s
committee to review the area
of litigation costs.
5 Well-drafted, easily See above Y
[20.18] understood and accessible
regulation can reduce the
difficulties and costs of
90
Commitment Specific Action Date Achieved Specific Progress If not yet achieved
Yes – Y New Specific Actions or did not meet
No – N commitment date
Not please provide
applicable further details
yet – N/A
compliance for both
businesses and citizens.
Building on progress in
recent years and utilising the
provisions of the Statute Law
(Restatement) Act, a
structured programme
targeted on areas where the
benefits to business and the
citizen are likely to be
greatest will be pursued to
achieve these improvements
in regulations.
Stable Industrial Relations
The parties are committed to The Partnership approach From Y The Partnership approach
6 maintaining a well-managed will continue to be used to November, continues to work
[19.3, industrial relations foster good industrial 2004 onwards successfully in the CSSO.
19.6 environment to minimise relations. Regular meetings Unions have been regularly
and disputes affecting the level of are held with local union consulted and briefed on
91
Commitment Specific Action Date Achieved Specific Progress If not yet achieved
Yes – Y New Specific Actions or did not meet
No – N commitment date
Not please provide
applicable further details
yet – N/A
20.5] service to the public branch representatives. matters of mutual interest
In this regard the agreement in the period under review.
provides that: Accommodation issues
(i)No cost increasing claims have been problematic for
for improvements in pay or the Office. Interim
conditions of employment Accommodation issues are
will be made or processed being resolved through the
during the course of the use of full consultation
Agreement. with the Unions and non-
(ii)Precludes strikes or other Union staff. The Office
forms of industrial action on has put in place a
any matter covered by the communications structure
Agreement. for non-Union staff and
other Groups.
Performance Management
Systems
Where these are not already The PMDS has been in place From Y Due to the introduction of
7 in place, the parties agree for all staff since November November, upward feedback into the
[20.7] that appropriate performance 2001. A review of the 2004 onwards PMDS cycle of 2005, it
management systems will be system was undertaken in was decided to retain the
introduced so that developed 2003 following which four competencies used in
performance management recommendations for the 2004 annual cycle of
92
Commitment Specific Action Date Achieved Specific Progress If not yet achieved
Yes – Y New Specific Actions or did not meet
No – N commitment date
Not please provide
applicable further details
yet – N/A
systems will be fully development and amendment PMDS. However, one of
operating in each sector of have been implemented. these, Technical
the public service by 1st Each year the Office will Capabilities, was modified
January, 2005 choose appropriate core to place greater emphasis
competencies and implement on practical know-how.
plans for their development.
Following the devolution of Programme to Y Division Heads in the
training budgets to Division be fully Office have been
Heads monthly reports on implemented by advised in February,
training expenditure are end 2005 2005 as regards their
provided by the Training training budget
Officer. allocation for 2005.
N
The Office will consider the The Office is currently
implementation of a Personal examining tendering
Development and a arrangements and
Management Programme for Office requirements in
all staff. this matter.
Plans to roll-out upward Upward Y Following a competitive
93
Commitment Specific Action Date Achieved Specific Progress If not yet achieved
Yes – Y New Specific Actions or did not meet
No – N commitment date
Not please provide
applicable further details
yet – N/A
feedback have been agreed Feedback to be tendering process, GFP
by Partnership. introduced in Consulting were awarded
December, the contract for delivering
2004 prior to just-in-time training to staff
commencement of the Office in relation to
of 2005 annual upward feedback. Staff
cycle of PMDS have since then received
training and in December,
2004 upward feedback has
been introduced into the
annual review stage of the
2004 PMDS cycle.
In January, 2005 the
Partnership Committee
approved an action plan
together with a
responsibility list and
performance indicators
which had been prepared
by MAC to address issues
identified in our staff
Additudinal/Climatic
Survey which was carried
out with a view to
establishing a working
environment that is
conducive to giving and
94
Commitment Specific Action Date Achieved Specific Progress If not yet achieved
Yes – Y New Specific Actions or did not meet
No – N commitment date
Not please provide
applicable further details
yet – N/A
receiving upward feedback.
The Office will continue to From The PMDS is utilised in This will be considered
develop a more structured November, this regard. Probation in the context of
approach to the monitoring, 2004 onwards procedures are in place. requirements identified
assessment and development in PMDS Personal
of staff during probation. Section Heads in Development and
consultation with Division Training Plans
Heads review the work of
95
Commitment Specific Action Date Achieved Specific Progress If not yet achieved
Yes – Y New Specific Actions or did not meet
No – N commitment date
Not please provide
applicable further details
yet – N/A
new entrants on an ongoing
basis and Division Heads
formally meet new entrants
3 months after assignment
to discuss work issues
(over and above on-going
reviews under PMDS with
Section Heads).
See progress achieved
under paras 25 [20.20] and
25a [22.20]
Modernisation and
Flexibility
8 The parties are committed to Flexibility continues to be a Records Y Significant flexibility
[20.6] increased flexibility to ensure feature of the Office, with Management continues to be
that public services are regular re-organisation of Officer demonstrated in areas such
delivered in a manner which staff, responsibilities and recruited by as the implementation of
more closely reflects the sections in response to January 2005. IT projects in the Office.
needs of its customers. changing demands from The Office has made new
clients. The Office continues organisational
to review the organisational arrangements to manage
arrangements to align them client needs arising out of
with client needs. child abuse litigation.
The Office will continue to Resources in the Asylum
achieve flexibility in the section have been
96
Commitment Specific Action Date Achieved Specific Progress If not yet achieved
Yes – Y New Specific Actions or did not meet
No – N commitment date
Not please provide
applicable further details
yet – N/A
recruitment of staff in strengthened. The Office
emerging skills areas such as has created a fully staffed
records management and Records and Registry
accounting technicians. Section. Also, a significant
number of staff from this
Office were involved in
data migration, reviewing
the fileplan, workflows
screen shots and writing
user acceptance testing
scripts for the ACME
Project.
The Office, in conjunction
with the AGO recruited a
Records Manager (without
impact on overall staffing
numbers) in January, 2005
in the context of the
implementation of the new
Case and Records
Management System.
In the context of the effects Y The Office will be
that decentralisation will remaining in Dublin.
have on staffing in the However, staff members
administrative side of the interested in decentralising
97
Commitment Specific Action Date Achieved Specific Progress If not yet achieved
Yes – Y New Specific Actions or did not meet
No – N commitment date
Not please provide
applicable further details
yet – N/A
Office, existing staff will have been identified. An
document practices, evaluation of the risk based
procedures and precedents on those likely to transfer
and training will be given to to „Early Mover‟
other staff to enable them to Departments/Offices has
effect the duties involved been made. The impact of
decentralisation on the
delivery of the services of
the Office will be
predominantly on the
administrative side and the
impact on professional and
technical staff will be
minor. The documentation
of practices and procedures
is taking place particularly
in the context of the File
and Document Plan for the
ACME project and
supported by the
appointment of a Know-
how Officer.
The Office continues to From Y The panel of external
consider the possibility of November, Solicitors created in 2004
outsourcing specific legal 2004 onwards continues to be used under
functions which hitherto are the guidance of the Office
carried out in the Office. to provide key services to
98
Commitment Specific Action Date Achieved Specific Progress If not yet achieved
Yes – Y New Specific Actions or did not meet
No – N commitment date
Not please provide
applicable further details
yet – N/A
Any such examination will Departments.
be based on a broad cost A discussion on the
benefit analysis basis. outsourcing of an existing
area of work is under
discussion at Partnership.
Team working and cross-
functional working
All of the parties will co- The specifications for From Y Specifications for this
9 operate fully with initiatives management and personal November, component of training are
[21.5] in these areas and it remains development training for the 2004 onwards in place. The Office has
open to management to Office will contain specific provided a pilot training
implement such initiatives in requirements for the session for staff in team
accordance with the development of team working in February, 2005.
provisions of this Agreement building and team working The feedback from staff in
skills. The specifications relation to this course was
will be linked to the very positive and it is
initiatives already taken by proposed that further
the Office to screen training sessions will be
solicitor/legal executive provided for staff in the
applicants at recruitment coming months.
interview stage for team
player/leader competencies
and at promotional interview
stages where standards for
99
Commitment Specific Action Date Achieved Specific Progress If not yet achieved
Yes – Y New Specific Actions or did not meet
No – N commitment date
Not please provide
applicable further details
yet – N/A
team competencies are stated
and explored with
candidates. Team
competencies will be
hardwired into the new
promotional procedures for
clerical and administrative
staff following on from the
extension of the merit based
competitive selection to
those grades.
The Office is committed to Y Legal Bulletins prepared
the continuation of Team jointly with the AGO were
working to deal with specific circulated to staff on 17
legal work for some clients December, 2004, 27
and cross-functional working January and 1 March,
initiatives such as the 2005. It will continue to be
introduction of new IT issued on a monthly basis
systems and policies. The during 2005.
Office will continue to Legal issues meetings,
promote the use of project Section/Team/Division
management. meetings and other
In line with the Office‟s new information sharing
Knowledge Management meetings are held regularly
Strategy, group meetings in in the Office.
the Office will continue to be
developed to promote a Also see progress achieved
100
Commitment Specific Action Date Achieved Specific Progress If not yet achieved
Yes – Y New Specific Actions or did not meet
No – N commitment date
Not please provide
applicable further details
yet – N/A
culture of sharing knowledge under para 9 [21.5]
and resources. These include
the establishment of Legal
Issues meetings, information
sharing meetings for
Executive and Staff Officers,
the further development of
section/team/Division
meetings, and the promotion
of communities of practice.
This will continue to
promote a team-working
initiative and will assist in
improving flexibility and
mobility of staff by
providing a forum for
education of wider Office
issues.
Further development of the
team concept will be kept
under review.
Teamwork has been
specified as an element of a
required competence for
PMDS purposes.
The Office‟s new Human Mid 2005 N/A Elements of the Human
101
Commitment Specific Action Date Achieved Specific Progress If not yet achieved
Yes – Y New Specific Actions or did not meet
No – N commitment date
Not please provide
applicable further details
yet – N/A
Resources Strategy to be Resources Strategy have
agreed by Partnership will in already been developed
the future focus on such as PMDS, Training
leveraging the best policies, Refund of Fees,
advantage from the Offices Probation and awards of
mobility policy. increments, staff mobility,
competitive promotional
procedures and atypical
working arrangements.
Policies have been
developed by the Human
Resources Sub-Group of
Partnership.
New Technology and
eGovernment
10 It is accepted that the use of Considerable progress has Commence N Substantial work has
[21.6 new technology may been made in implementing implementation been done on the
and necessitate significant change an IT Strategy for the period of Case and development of the
21.7] in work processes in order 2001- 2005. The main Records ACME system.
that the benefits of project is a case and records Management Unresolved technical
technology will be management system shared System and UAT issues have
maximised. between this Office and the (ACME) in meant the Piloting of
There will be full co- Office and the Office of the December 2004 ACME to be
operation with the design and Attorney General. on a pilot basis rescheduled to 11
implementation of and system to April, 2005. (The
eGovernment projects. be fully resolution of these
102
Commitment Specific Action Date Achieved Specific Progress If not yet achieved
Yes – Y New Specific Actions or did not meet
No – N commitment date
Not please provide
applicable further details
yet – N/A
implemented by issues is a central
end April, 2005. concern of the Offices.)
The implementation of
ACME and other IT
systems will enable a
more efficient delivery
of legal services and
analysis of
Management
Information.
A new Financial Non-ACME Y Non-ACME dependent
Management System shared dependent functionality is operational.
with the Attorney General‟s functionality
Office has been embedded by ACME dependent
implemented. end 2004. functionality remains to be
ACME tested and it is envisaged
dependent that it will be fully
functionality embedded by end June,
embedded by 2005.
end April, 2005.
The development of an Enhanced N/A Interface has been
103
Commitment Specific Action Date Achieved Specific Progress If not yet achieved
Yes – Y New Specific Actions or did not meet
No – N commitment date
Not please provide
applicable further details
yet – N/A
interface between the new Management developed since end
Case and Records Information January, 2005. Testing of
Management System and the reporting and interface is taking place in
Financial Management costing in place the context of the pilot of
System will enhance the by mid 2005 the new ACME system
quantity and quality of over the period to end
management information and April, 2005.
facilitate the introduction of MIF is being rolled-out. A
a comprehensive costing suite of Management
package thus ensuring that Reports (non-ACME
the Office meets its MIF dependent data) has been
requirements. demonstrated to the IT
Steering Committee and
will appear on the MAC
agenda commencing in
April, 2005.
Work on the development of System to be N/A Following a
a new HR Management Implemented by consultant‟s evaluation
system in conjunction with mid 2006 CMOD substantially
the Attorney General‟s revised the roll-out of a
Office has commenced but Civil Service HRMS.
progress was hindered due to Although this has
delays and developments at resulted in delays
central level. generally it is
anticipated that the
Office will still meet its
104
Commitment Specific Action Date Achieved Specific Progress If not yet achieved
Yes – Y New Specific Actions or did not meet
No – N commitment date
Not please provide
applicable further details
yet – N/A
previously advised
target of Mid-2006.
Also, the Office in Implement Y Interim proposals for the
conjunction with the Legal Know- development of a Know-
Attorney General‟s Office how how database for the CSSO
has prepared a Knowledge Application have been presented to
Management Strategy 2003 – from End 2005. MAC for consideration.
2005. The implementation Risk Management issues
of this strategy will be have been raised and are
supported by the currently under
development and installation investigation.
of a specialist legal Know-
how application which will The Library and Know-
facilitate both Offices in the how Unit has hosted two
capture, organisation and Legal Issues Meetings as
sharing of knowledge, part of its Know-how
experience and expertise. strategy.
The Office will ensure full Training to be Y Training for all staff in MS
compliance with the completed by Outlook has been provided
changeover from Lotus end 2004. by end 2004.
Notes to Microsoft Outlook
105
Commitment Specific Action Date Achieved Specific Progress If not yet achieved
Yes – Y New Specific Actions or did not meet
No – N commitment date
Not please provide
applicable further details
yet – N/A
and training as to Microsoft
Outlook and full co-
operation with IT training to
ensure levels of IT
proficiency
The Office is currently Intranet to be N/A The proposal is on
developing an intranet which developed by schedule. A Project Group
will be shared with the mid 2005 is being assembled with a
Attorney General‟s Office view to its first meeting by
and will enhance the sharing end-March, 2005.
of information between both
Offices.
The Office will continue to From Y While the Supreme Court
co-operate with the Courts November, Working Group on the
Service in the development 2004 onwards computerisation is in
of its IT strategy. A member abeyance pending further
of the Office‟s IT Unit and a developments, the Office
legal staff member continue continues to provide 3
to participate on a group officers who have
working on the responsibility for co-
computerisation of the operation with the Courts
Supreme Court. Service. Developments in
the Courts Service are
reported to MAC on a
106
Commitment Specific Action Date Achieved Specific Progress If not yet achieved
Yes – Y New Specific Actions or did not meet
No – N commitment date
Not please provide
applicable further details
yet – N/A
quarterly basis. The Office
participated in a recent
demonstration by the
Courts Service on the
software for the filing and
serving of documents in
court. The demonstration
was sponsored by the
Judges‟ library. The
Office participated in the
Courts Service Customer
Forum representing the
State in litigation.
The Office‟s web page (joint Web site to be Y The Office‟s redesigned
site with the AGO) continues fully website has been displayed
to be updated and improved. redeveloped by since 16 February, 2005
The web page provides high end 2004 has been fully constructed
standards of accessibility for and is up and running. The
the public and in particular preparation of
people with disabilities. specifications for
translating text into Irish
has commenced in the
context of displaying an
Irish version of the
website.
The site has been designed
to meet state and
107
Commitment Specific Action Date Achieved Specific Progress If not yet achieved
Yes – Y New Specific Actions or did not meet
No – N commitment date
Not please provide
applicable further details
yet – N/A
international requirements
for Public Service
accessibility. The site has
been tested for accessibility
by IQ Content and the
National Council for the
Blind of Ireland and has
been declared to have a
AA+ standard of
accessibility compliance.
Atypical Working
Arrangements
11 The work pattern may be Atypical working patterns From Y The Office continues to
[21.8] such in specific areas that apply to 26 staff in the Office November, accommodate staff
specific work processes can which equates to 12% of the 2004 onwards requests in this area as
be performed most staff complement. appropriate.
effectively by part time staff.
The use of part-time staff From Y The Office continues to
continues to be kept under November, keep the use of part-time
review. 2004 onwards staff under review
A sub-committee of From January, N The further
Partnership has produced a 2005 onwards consideration of both e-
report on e-Working. The Working and the use of
report findings will be satellite working
108
Commitment Specific Action Date Achieved Specific Progress If not yet achieved
Yes – Y New Specific Actions or did not meet
No – N commitment date
Not please provide
applicable further details
yet – N/A
reviewed following upon an offices has been
assessment of the ability of deferred pending the
the ACME and FMS systems completion of the
to support e-Working. ACME project. The
Sub-Committee is
broadly in favour of the
use of satellite offices.
The flexibility of such
offices needs to be
tested in light of the
operation of new
technology.
12
[21.9] Situations may arise where Unions have been consulted From Y This process continues in
the need to respond to and have agreed to the use of November, the Office.
temporary pressures may contract staff to fill vacancies 2004 onwards
require the employment of on a short term basis. A Records Manager recruited
temporary staff or Professional Accountant was Records in January, 2005.
outsourcing of work. Unions engaged on a two year initial Management
will be notified in advance of contract in March 2003 to Officer
initiatives of this kind. facilitate the implementation recruited by end
of the new Financial 2004
Management System and the
MIF initiative and the Office
will shortly recruit a Records
Management Officer in the
context of the
109
Commitment Specific Action Date Achieved Specific Progress If not yet achieved
Yes – Y New Specific Actions or did not meet
No – N commitment date
Not please provide
applicable further details
yet – N/A
implementation of the new
ACME system. The Office
will continue to recruit
contract staff subject to
numbers control so as to
meet any increasing and
urgent work demands.
The Office recognises the From Y This process continues
need to find alternative November, in the Office.
approaches in dealing with 2004 onwards
major cases that cannot be
handled within its resources
and is developing different
models for outsourcing
work.
Attendance Patterns
13 In order to provide a The Office will continue to From Y The Office continues to
[21.10] satisfactory level of service provide an out-of-normal November, monitor the on-call panel
to the public, there is a need hours service and will 2004 onwards and the panel‟s
in certain areas for changes maintain the capability to effectiveness.
to the standard working day respond to client service
in order to provide services requirements outside of
outside the traditional “9 to normal working hours.
110
Commitment Specific Action Date Achieved Specific Progress If not yet achieved
Yes – Y New Specific Actions or did not meet
No – N commitment date
Not please provide
applicable further details
yet – N/A
5” pattern. The parties are
committed to discussions to
establish how this can best be
achieved, where required.
The working trial of variable Working trial Y A Report on the evaluation
starting and finishing times has been of the working trial has
for technical staff has been completed and been prepared and was
completed and will be will be presented to MAC in
evaluated and any lessons evaluated by March, 2005 and is under
learnt may be applied to end 2004 consideration.
professional staff.
Redeployment of Staff
14 Redeployment of staff may Redeployment of staff to Ongoing review Y See progress achieved
[21.11] be necessary on occasion to meet changing demands for of internal under para 8 [20.6]
respond to urgent work legal services continues to be organisation
demands. a feature of Office
administration.
Management of the
Introduction of Change and
New Development
In accordance with the Unions will continue to be From Y This process continues to
15 partnership approach, unions consulted in relation to November, work successfully.
[21.12] will be informed in advance workplace initiatives. The 2004 onwards
111
Commitment Specific Action Date Achieved Specific Progress If not yet achieved
Yes – Y New Specific Actions or did not meet
No – N commitment date
Not please provide
applicable further details
yet – N/A
of all new significant Partnership process provides
workplace-related initiatives, a regular forum for
the reasons for them and the discussion of any proposals
proposed implementation in this area. There is regular
date. and ongoing consultation
Notification will be given in with Partnership so as to
advance and in sufficient improve the quality and
time to allow discussions implementability of
with the union(s) concerned decisions. Additionally, the
to take place, Such Partnership Committee has a
discussions will cover the communications subgroup
nature of the changes that has recommended a
involved, the reasons for communications strategy.
them and any impact on staff. This has been implemented.
Subject to this, it is accepted
that management have the
right to implement changes in
accordance with the
provisions of the Agreement.
eGovernment
The parties are committed to Covered in the paragraphs
16 the further development of relating to new technology
[20.19] eGovernment on the See para 21.6 and 21.7.
following basis:
(i) facilitating better citizen
access and interaction with
the public service by
112
Commitment Specific Action Date Achieved Specific Progress If not yet achieved
Yes – Y New Specific Actions or did not meet
No – N commitment date
Not please provide
applicable further details
yet – N/A
realising the potential of
information and
communication technologies
(ICTs);
(ii) building collaborative
knowledge-based structures
focused on serving both
citizens and the public
service; and
(iii) facilitating continuous
adaptation and improvement
in service delivery by fully
utilising ICTs to deliver
public services seamlessly
and across traditional
boundaries.
The feasibility of an extranet To be N Client interest in an
facility between the Office implemented by extranet facility is
and client end 2005 proving to be less than
Departments/Offices will be subject to expected. The matter
considered following the decision to would more rationally
implementation of the new proceed. be developed in the
case and records context of further
management system. developments on the e-
Government initiative.
Feasibility of an
extranet facility will be
113
Commitment Specific Action Date Achieved Specific Progress If not yet achieved
Yes – Y New Specific Actions or did not meet
No – N commitment date
Not please provide
applicable further details
yet – N/A
considered towards the
end of 2005 following
the expected
embedding of the
ACME system.
The parties commit to full co-
16 a operation with the further The Office will continue to From Y Please see progress
[22.24] development and co-operate with the Courts November, achieved under paragraph
implementation of Service in the development 2004 onwards 10 [21.6 and 21.7]
eGovernment policy as of electronic court facilities.
outlined in „New
Connections‟, the
Government‟s Action Plan to
realise the potential of the See para 21.6 and 21.7
Information Society.
Verification of Change
Mechanisms etc.
The parties agree to the The Office will adhere to any November, Y The Partnership Committee
17 establishment of a procedures put in place in 2004 onwards met on 8 and 16 March,
[20.25] mechanism to verify that all accordance with Section 26. 2005, to review this
sectors, organisations and Progress Report. Progress
grades in the public service in implementing the Action
deliver outputs in line with Plan was also reviewed by
the provisions of this the Office Partnership
Agreement. This mechanism Committee and MAC.
114
Commitment Specific Action Date Achieved Specific Progress If not yet achieved
Yes – Y New Specific Actions or did not meet
No – N commitment date
Not please provide
applicable further details
yet – N/A
will be established in
accordance with Section 26.
18 Open recruitment will be The Office will implement Awaiting issue N/A Guidelines not yet
[22.10] introduced for appointments guidelines on one-year of guidelines received from the
above existing entry levels contracts for new recruits in from Department of Finance.
and one-year contracts will consultation with Department of
be extended to all new Partnership. Finance
recruits to the Civil Service
starting on 1 January, 2004.
19 In order to deal with certain The Office will continue to From Y This process is ongoing in
[22.11] skills and expertise shortages assess the skills requirements November, the Office. The experience
the following specific in the IT, HR and financial 2004 onwards of the Office is that we are
measures have been agreed: management areas. retaining staff in I.T., H.R.,
(i)Beginning with IT, HR and and Accounts and that
financial management areas, skills continue to develop,
open recruitment will be particularly in I.T. and
introduced H.R.
(ii)Any need for open
recruitment will be identified
and communicated to the
relevant union/unions with a
view to reaching agreement
on the matter speedily.
(iii)The trade unions are
committed to co-operating
115
Commitment Specific Action Date Achieved Specific Progress If not yet achieved
Yes – Y New Specific Actions or did not meet
No – N commitment date
Not please provide
applicable further details
yet – N/A
with such open recruitment in
circumstances where there is
a need for it.
(iv)In the event that the
parties have difficulties on
such issues, a third party
adjudication mechanism will
be established immediately
after ratification of this
Agreement. This mechanism
will make a final decision on
any matter referred to it
within a two month period.
(v)There will be a review of
these arrangements within 12
months to ensure that
20 significant progress is made.
[22.11] (vi) The Civil Service may
recruit in any year a number
of staff at the level of Higher
Executive Officer, Assistant
Principal and Principal
Officer (and equivalent
grades) equal to the number
of staff in those grades who
had resigned from the Civil
Service in the previous year
to take up positions in the
116
Commitment Specific Action Date Achieved Specific Progress If not yet achieved
Yes – Y New Specific Actions or did not meet
No – N commitment date
Not please provide
applicable further details
yet – N/A
private sector or elsewhere in
the public sector.
(vii) Where posts, which are
normally filled by promotion,
are filled under the terms of
the above arrangements by
open competition, they will
be regarded as fulfilling the
requirements to fill posts by
interdepartmental
competitions and will also
count towards the fulfillment
of quotas of posts to be filled
by open recruitment at lower
levels where appropriate.
The Office has appointed a Y
Professional Accountant (on
a shared basis with the
Attorney General‟s Office)
on a two year contract. A
HR manager was recruited
by confined
interdepartmental
competition.
The Office, in conjunction Records Y Records Manager recruited
with the Attorney General‟s Management in January, 2005.
117
Commitment Specific Action Date Achieved Specific Progress If not yet achieved
Yes – Y New Specific Actions or did not meet
No – N commitment date
Not please provide
applicable further details
yet – N/A
Office has advertised for the Officer to be
position of Records recruited by end
Management Officer in the 2004.
context of the
implementation of the new
Case and Records
Management System.
The Office will Identify By end Y Appropriate return made to
numbers who resigned from February, 2005 Department of Finance.
Civil Service in the course of
2004, at the level of HEO,
AP, and PO (and equivalent
grades)
The Office will continue to From Y The exit interview
conduct exit interviews for November, procedure is in place.
staff. 2004 onwards
21 Discussions will take place As part of an agreement with
[22.14, so that greater use of IMPACT in 2001, Y This process is ongoing in
and competitive, merit-based competitive promotion was the Office.
22.15] promotions within introduced for all
Departments will be professional and technical
introduced and progressed promotions.
over the life of the Existing arrangements for
Agreement. Progress in this internal promotions for
118
Commitment Specific Action Date Achieved Specific Progress If not yet achieved
Yes – Y New Specific Actions or did not meet
No – N commitment date
Not please provide
applicable further details
yet – N/A
regard must be based on general service grades have
competitive selection been reviewed in
methods used in Departments consultation with the Staff
demonstrating best practice Side.
in this area.
Specific measurable progress
is to be made within
individual Departments on a
progressive basis over the life
of the Agreement.
The objective of the Office September 2004 Y
in regard to competitive
merit-based promotions has
been achieved.
22 In the case of grades that are
[22.16] covered by the Executive 50% of promotion to EO October, 2004 Y Mechanisms are in place
Officer dual promotion already on a competitive and arrangements agreed.
structure, the following basis. In addition, 100% of No competitions have been
arrangements will apply: promotions from SO to EO necessary to date.
(i) Discussions will take and 50% of promotions from
place with a view to CO to SO has been agreed
concluding an agreement on between Management and
extending the proportion of Unions
competitive merit-based
promotions within
Departments by mid-2004
119
Commitment Specific Action Date Achieved Specific Progress If not yet achieved
Yes – Y New Specific Actions or did not meet
No – N commitment date
Not please provide
applicable further details
yet – N/A
and their introduction at the
first opportunity thereafter;
(ii) Where competitive
promotion systems do not
apply in Departments they
will be introduced and
progressed over the life of
the Agreement.
(ii) The proportion of posts
23 filled under mobility The Office will ensure that Ongoing since Y New panel arrangements
[22.17] provisions of 40% of vacancies, in grades mid-2003 will be implemented as
interdepartmental promotion covered by existing vacancies are to be filled.
competitions will be arrangements for
increased from 33.3% to 40% interdepartmental promotion
from the beginning of the schemes, are filled from
next competitions to be held interdepartmental panels.
under the existing
arrangements for
interdepartmental promotion
schemes. This proportion will
be increased to 50% from the
date equating to the
commencement of the next
subsequent competition for
promotion to Principal level.
120
Commitment Specific Action Date Achieved Specific Progress If not yet achieved
Yes – Y New Specific Actions or did not meet
No – N commitment date
Not please provide
applicable further details
yet – N/A
In this context, provision,
will be made where feasible
for a scheme of regional
interdepartmental
competitions outside the
Dublin area to be in place as
early as possible;
In the event that problems The Office will, if necessary, From Y The issue has not arisen.
24 arise in direct discussions in in implementing the above November,
[22.17] relation to the manner in provisions avail of a 2004 onwards
which any of the above facilitator or third party
provisions are to be adjudication.
implemented, the issues
involved will be processed
with the aid of a facilitator,
and if necessary, referred to a
third party adjudication in
order to assist the parties
meet the objectives identified
above.
Training
25 The parties are committed to In the Office‟s strategy From Y All staff in the Office are
[20.20] continued training and statement particular focus is November, notified of training
development for all staff placed on the need for a 2004 onwards opportunities. Priority is
“knowledge-based” given to needs identified in
121
Commitment Specific Action Date Achieved Specific Progress If not yet achieved
Yes – Y New Specific Actions or did not meet
No – N commitment date
Not please provide
applicable further details
yet – N/A
25 a The target spend on training organisation. The PMDS Role Profile Forms.
[22.20] and development in the Civil importance of ensuring that
Service will be 4% of payroll staff has access to continuing Y 3 % of payroll has been
by 2003. training and development made available in 2005 for
opportunities is emphasised. training and development
A specialist training officer in the Office.
was appointed in 2002.
Training expenditure in 2003 An Office Training and
was 2.8% of payroll. Provision and Development Plan for 2005
A training needs analysis has development of is being prepared and
been completed and will training is copies will be circulated to
form the basis for a detailed ongoing. all staff. An Office Legal
training and development Information Skills
plan. The plan will also take Programme for 2005 is
into account being prepared.
recommendations pertaining
to training contained in the To be finalised A Judicial Review practice
Knowledge Management by March, 2005 and procedure manual has
Strategy 2003-2005. The been prepared and has been
Office is committed to the published (January 2005)
preparation of a Training and with a view to equipping a
Development Strategy professional and technical
with comprehensive
material to support their
training, development,
competency and skills in
dealing with applications
for judicial review.
122
Commitment Specific Action Date Achieved Specific Progress If not yet achieved
Yes – Y New Specific Actions or did not meet
No – N commitment date
Not please provide
applicable further details
yet – N/A
The Office relies
heavily on the training
modules provided by
the Continuing
professional and
Development Service
of the Law Society.
The training events on
offer are highly
relevant to the needs of
legal staff. In addition
the Office has agreed to
work with the DSBA to
obtain additional legal
training for solicitors
and technical staff.
ECHR training is
ongoing in the Office.
Partnership
26 The recommendations of the The partnership process is December, Y Annual Review of
[22.23] Review of Partnership in the reviewed annually at a one 2004 Partnership took place in
Civil Service will be day seminar, the last in December, 2004.
considered by a Sub- December 2003. The next
123
Commitment Specific Action Date Achieved Specific Progress If not yet achieved
Yes – Y New Specific Actions or did not meet
No – N commitment date
Not please provide
applicable further details
yet – N/A
Group of General Council annual review will take place
which will present proposals in December, 2004. Part of
for the development of that review will be
partnership to General discussion on the
Council. implications of the
provisions of the Information
and Consultation Directive.
The parties are committed to The Partnership Committee From Y The Partnership Committee
27 building upon the structures meets monthly and a wide November, continues to meet each
[20.9] that have been established, range of topics come up for 2004 onwards month.
and to further embedding and discussion and decision.
refining the process across
the public service, in order to
deliver real improvements in
performance at organizational
level, involve staff in the
change and modernization
process and improve the
working environment.
A Human Resources Implemented by Y See progress achieved
Strategy will be drafted and June, 2005 under paragraph 9 [21.5]
implemented.
Equality
124
Commitment Specific Action Date Achieved Specific Progress If not yet achieved
Yes – Y New Specific Actions or did not meet
No – N commitment date
Not please provide
applicable further details
yet – N/A
28 The parties agree to continue The Office will promote From Y The Office already meets
[22.25] to work to promote equality existing Diversity and November, its targets with respect to
of opportunity for all Civil Gender Equality Policies 2004 onwards gender equality and
Service staff in accordance believes it is close to
with these policies meeting the targets set by
the Government in relation
to disability.
The Office has already Y
achieved the Government
target of 33% of AP posts
filled by women - 48% of
AP level posts in the Office
are filled by women.
28 a The Department of Finance is The Office‟s commitment to Y
[22.27] currently drawing up the principles of equality is
proposals with a view to set out in the Customer
developing action plans to Action Plan. In the course of
ensure that the Government‟s refurbishing our main Office
policy, of a 3% employment building, facilities for
target for people with a wheelchair users were
disability, is implemented as installed.
effectively as possible.
Particular consideration will
be given to improving
monitoring arrangements.
125
Commitment Specific Action Date Achieved Specific Progress If not yet achieved
Yes – Y New Specific Actions or did not meet
No – N commitment date
Not please provide
applicable further details
yet – N/A
28 b The public service will
[20.21] continue to build on the Training on equality issues June 2005 N/A
significant progress which will be provided for all staff
has been made in regard to
policies on equality and
diversity in order to promote
equal opportunity in all
aspects of civil and public
service employment.
The Office exceeds the From Y The target continues to be
gender balance targets November, met.
already set by the Civil 2004 onwards
Service. Currently 59% of
AP level and 33% of PO
level posts are filled by
women. The situation will be
kept under review.
All applications for internal From Y All data is preserved for
competitions are monitored November, analysis.
for gender split, age etc. 2004 onwards
Report on these issues in Include in Y The relevant information is
126
Commitment Specific Action Date Achieved Specific Progress If not yet achieved
Yes – Y New Specific Actions or did not meet
No – N commitment date
Not please provide
applicable further details
yet – N/A
annual report. annual report submitted to the Annual
for 2003 Report Editorial Board to
be included in the Annual
Report which are, in turn,
published on the Office‟s
web-site.
Apply Civil Service policy From Y On going
on harassment, sexual November,
harassment and bullying. 2004 onwards
Provide awareness training Y Training to be provided for
for all staff and ensure all staff by end of 2005.
particularly that all managers
are fully informed on
principles and best practice.
127