The Government last night completed a day-long examination of its performance prompted by Cabinet concern that it is failing to implement its programme fast enough.
Yesterday's meeting at Farmleigh in Dublin was designed to identify a series of achievable policy aims to show the Government was pushing a reform agenda despite the economic slowdown, the stalling of major road and rail projects and recent administrative disarray in the health services. Political sources said yesterday it was also designed to inject urgency into some ministers who were seen not to be pushing to implement a dynamic enough programme of change.
The Taoiseach scheduled yesterday's meeting several weeks ago, telling each minister to prepare a 10 minute presentation of their achievements since coming to office almost a year ago, and to give specific proposals for change they plan to drive forward. Ministers made their presentations at yesterday's Farmleigh meeting.
The Government has traditionally held full day meetings once or twice a year to discuss particular policy areas. Yesterday's, which was more wide ranging than usual, was extended over dinner last night as a result of the meetings with the British Prime Minister involving the Taoiseach, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Minister for Justice. Sources said the aim of yesterday's meeting was to focus Ministers on the need to press ahead with the Government programme as fast as possible to counter any impression that economic and financial circumstances have blunted their effectiveness.
The meeting concentrated on measures to protect economic competitiveness, but according to political sources, covered a wide range of Government policies. Pro-competitiveness measures discussed included reform of planning laws to ensure faster and less costly infrastructure construction, proposals to reduce insurance costs for business and plans to bring greater competition into certain professions.
Problems with health services were also discussed. Ministers hope to reach agreement on the broad outline of a major health services reform programme at a meeting of the Cabinet sub-committee on health this afternoon.