Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)

No. Constitutionally, Ministers are collectively responsible for all Departments. The idea of running Government as if it were a series of parallel independent republics is not only stupid, but it is fundamentally unconstitutional. The collective nature of Government is fundamental to the Constitution.

As regards the specific issue, the role rests with the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. Why would I duplicate the work of a ministerial colleague when this is a single Government? It would make no sense.

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