The introduction of the accounting officer has had an impact just in the fact that the deputy ministers now are clearly responsible and accountable before Parliament for the administration of their departments. Even though it may have been there in bits and pieces previously and even though they obviously assumed that responsibility previously, to have it written into a law somewhere has made it even more obvious to people. I think even the relationship with this committee has changed because of that act.
On March 26th, 2009. See this statement in context.