Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)

My question is about the extent of the Taoiseach's co-ordinating role regarding the work of Departments. For example, particular issues affect children, including children with disabilities or learning difficulties. Issues also affect adults with disabilities, and huge issues, such as suicide, exist just below the surface. Such issues might cut across four, five, six or seven Departments and it is necessary to get a joined-up approach so the Government can deliver on these matters. I know this is a new Government but my experience, limited although it might be, particularly in the Northern Assembly, has been that where one could get strategic joined-up cross-departmental focus, one could get very quick delivery. Has the Taoiseach examined doing this? I could use any issue as example but I will take that of children with disabilities. Their parents may have to go through a plethora and maze of processes to try to get the child's entitlement. Suicide and self harm are also issues that cut across many Departments. As a job of delivery, will the Taoiseach take one of these issues and try to co-ordinate the work of the necessary Departments?

See this speech in context