The research evidence presented in Effective Consultation with the External Customer shows that substantial progress has been made, and is being made, by the Irish public service organisations in consulting with a diverse range of external customers. Many public service bodies are becoming more proactive and systematic in their approach to external consultation as part of their response to the Quality Customer Service Initiative. Much firmer commitments than before are given in some Customer Action Plans to moving forward in this area. In comparison with the good practice examples identified internationally, however efforts to engage effectively with the public service’s external customers are still at a comparatively early stage in Ireland.