Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 6 to 8, inclusive, together.

On 23 March 2010, the Government appointed Deputy Curran as Government Chief Whip and Minister of State at my Department and at the Department of Defence and Deputy Calleary as Minister of State at my Department and at the Departments of Finance and Enterprise, Trade and Innovation. The Minister of State has special responsibility for public service transformation and labour affairs. Deputy Roche was reappointed as Minister of State at my Department and as Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs with special responsibility for European affairs on 22 April 2009.

As Chief Whip, the Minister of State, Deputy Curran, is primarily responsible for the organisation of Government business in the Dáil and for the Government's programme of Dáil reform. He also oversees the preparation of the Government's legislative programme. In addition, my statutory functions in respect of the Central Statistics Office have been delegated to the Minister of State.

The responsibilities of the Minister of State, Deputy Calleary, within my Department are additional to those associated with his role as Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation with responsibility for labour affairs. His new role allows him to co-ordinate the transformation effort across the public service with a view to creating a more integrated, customer-focused and fit-for-purpose public service.

Within my Department, the Minister of State, Deputy Roche, chairs an interdepartmental co-ordinating committee on European Union affairs. This committees keeps under review, and works to ensure coherence in respect of, the full range of issues on the EU's agenda. It has a particular focus on the correct and timely transposition of EU legislation. In addition, the Minister of State represents the Government at a wide range of EU and international meetings. The Minister of State also plays a central role in consolidating and further developing Ireland's bilateral relations with EU member states. Furthermore, he plays a key role in communicating the importance of the European Union to Ireland and fostering enhanced public understanding of EU issues.

Questions relating to the functions of particular Ministers of State at other Departments should be tabled to the relevant senior Ministers.

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