Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

While the Taoiseach would make the ultimate decision on a proposal such as that made by Deputy Cuffe, the model of a Minister of State with specific co-ordinating responsibilities has worked in other areas, such as children, in which a need existed to bring Departments together to deal with problems in a coherent manner. The proposal certainly merits serious consideration and could be brought before the Government.

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