Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)

Last week, the Taoiseach stated that a number of functions and aspects of functions were being moved between Departments in respect of certain delegation orders. This is a matter of joined-up Government, a phrase Fine Gael used often during the election. As good and as perfect as the Civil Service is, civil servants fight battles on behalf of their Departments in many instances. Where cross-cutting issues are involved, Ministers of State with responsibilities that cross a number of Departments are beneficial. Delegation orders are issued.

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