The Northern Assembly today appointed a six strong panel of experts to examine how public services can be improved.
The Review of Public administration will draw experts from Northern Ireland, Britain, the Republic and the United States under the chairmanship of Ombudsman, Mr Tom Frawley.
The other members of the review body are:
- Ms Lucy Woods, a former member of the Patten Commission on policing and chief executive of British Telecom Northern Ireland.
- Sir Neil McIntosh, a member of the UK Electoral Commission and a former convener of the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations.
- Mr James B King, a former director of the US Office of Personnel Management under former president Mr Bill Clinton.
- Ms Anne O'Keeffe, the executive director of the Institute of Public Administration in Dublin.
- Mr Desmond Mitchell, a part-time consultant and adviser on public sector policy.
The panel will be asked to examine the way public services are run in the province and how they are delivered.
The North’s First Minister Mr David Trimble said the review was "one of the most challenging tasks ever undertaken by the Executive".
He said: "We feel the panel announced today represents a good balance in terms of the expertise, experience and knowledge they can bring to the review.
"Their first task will be to quality assure the terms of reference for the review before we seek the endorsement of the Assembly."
Deputy First Minister Mr Mark Durkan said ministers were hopeful the "combination of creativity and innovation" brought by the panel would lead to significant improvements in public administration in the province.
"Consultation will be a key element of this review and the Executive is determined it will be conducted in a transparent and inclusive manner," he said.
PA