Sir, – It seems to be almost every day we read in your pages that the State has agreed to “settle” with an injured party for a vast sum. What is generally missing at the time is the name of the particular public servant or agent suspected of being responsible and, subsequently, details of the disciplinary action taken.
There must also be a nagging doubt that those who agree the level of compensation are not always as cautious about handing over the taxpayers’ money as they would be if it were their own.
I suggest that no agent of the State should be allowed to agree to compensate an injured party unless at least one individual is named for suspected illegal behaviour. This should apply to the Civil Service, public service, semi-States and any other organisations where money paid out would come from the taxpayer.
If a “systemic” failure is apparent, then the individual who designed or managed the system should be named. In all cases, the relevant behaviour of this individual should be investigated as a matter of urgency, and if he or she is not to be dismissed or prosecuted the reason for this should be detailed in public.
I further suggest that full details about how the level of compensation was arrived at must be publicised at the time the matter is formally agreed.
If existing laws get in the way of accountability, then they should be changed. – Yours, etc,