On Sunday Opinion this week, Roger is joined by Chief Minister Tony Brown to discuss the proposed shake up of the Island’s Government Departments, the biggest change to be made to the structure of the Isle of Man Government for 24 years.

One of the most contentious parts of the plans is the incorporation of Agriculture and Fisheries into a newly created Department of Community, Culture and Leisure, alongside the buses, NSC and Villa Marina Complex.

Earlier this week a group of six MHKs released an alternative plan for the restructuring, and called for a delay on the Council of Ministers’ proposals being implemented to allow time for the public to be consulted.

In the House of Keys this week, Chief Minister Tony Brown admitted that the shake-up of government does not offer any immediate cost savings, but will increase efficiency. But Mr Brown told members the reshuffle of departments was not about saving money, but delivering better services to the public.

Also joining Roger in the studio will be Sir Miles Walker, a former Chief Minister himself, and Dr Dick Horsnell, who were both part of the committee that drafted the original report on the Scope and Structure of the Isle of Man Government.

That report was commissioned by the Council of Ministers in 2005, and presented to Tynwald in September 2006, and forms the basis for the current plans to overhaul the structure of Government Departments. 

Sunday Opinion can be heard at manxradio.com and on the station's AM and FM services, just after the midday news.