Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

Is it intended to change the Ministers and Secretaries (Ministers of State) Act 2007 to reduce the numbers of Ministers of State? The Taoiseach is aware that Deputy Shatter published a Private Members' Bill allowing for a reduction of numbers to 12. The Government has reduced the number to 15 but this does not restrict it in increasing it again to what it was. Is the current number permanent or is it intended to go below it? Will there be legal effect through changing the Ministers and Secretaries (Ministers of State) Act 2007?

See this speech in context