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ABSTRACT
Critical junctures are an enduring concept in the study of institutional change, but the literature prompts a certain amount of definitional ambiguity around what a critical juncture is, and how best we should approach describing and explaining these rare instances of change. This paper presents and utilises a revised critical juncture framework, which helps to explore the role of context, openings, institutions, ideas, agents and discourse in these significant change events. The framework is then utilised in relation to the Irish Department of Finance (DoF), which is a pivotal institution at the heart of the Irish system of government. It is argued that the DoF’s position and influence in government have been impacted by three institutional change events, involving the establishment of the Department of the Public Service (DPS) in 1973; its disbandment in 1987; and the establishment of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER) in 2011. The available evidence supports a linkage between DPS’ establishment and DPER’s establishment almost 40 years later.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.
Notes
1. For exceptions, see Fanning (Citation1978), Whitaker (Citation1954, Citation1983) and Considine and Reidy (Citation2008, Citation2012).
2. With Peter Mortensen.
3. Which Hogan et al. integrate into the critical juncture theory for analyses of policy change.
4. There were some exceptions to the Minister for Finance's dual role in the 1980s when the role of Minister for the Public Service was held by the Minister for Labour.
5. Being out of power only between 1948 and 1951 and between 1951 and 1954.
6. Under the Public Service (Transfer of Functions) Order 1987. Curiously, when the Dáil convened for the first time, post-election, on 10 March 1987, the Taoiseach announced the appointment of Ray MacSharry as Minister for Finance and the Public Service.
7. By way of comparison, 11 industrial disputes began in 2014.
8. It is not possible to discern if policy entrepreneurs were proposing disbandment, but it is not inconceivable that DoF officials might have been doing so.
9. At that time, it comprised a significant 30 per cent of the DoF's policy staff.
10. Relating to the Department's four key policy functions.
11. An unofficial distinction between those departments which ‘steer’ government and whose approval is required on major policy, legislative and budgetary change (see Rhodes, Citation1995).
12. Announced as the Dáil convened on 9 March 2011 and provided for under the Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Act 2011.
13. While opting not to continue with the Economic Management Council.