asked the Minister for Energy if a Management Advisory Committee and a system of accountable management on the lines envisaged in the 1985 White Paper on the Public Service Serving the Public Better are now in operation in his Department; and, if not, whether he has any plans to introduce such a system.

My Department is keenly aware of the need to improve the administration of its business in every way possible. A management advisory committee is in operation in my Department. This committee, under the chairmanship of the departmental secretary, meets at regular intervals and, subject to my approval, it considers and takes decisions on policy issues and priorities, planning and departmental management.