Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

Is it the Taoiseach's intention to relocate responsibility for European affairs to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, as indicated? He referred to the idea of turning the Taoiseach's Department into a Cabinet office to oversee the delivery of a new programme for Government. We do not see that transformation happening or the delivery of a new programme for Government. Has the Taoiseach any idea of what will be the final configuration of the Department of the Taoiseach when he has finished the various reforms he has articulated? Some would say the Taoiseach has taken a very extreme approach in the matter of answering and transferring questions from his office and such replies are central to the accountability of the Taoiseach's office. Last week, he refused to answer a question about his own personal approach to the European Commission, for example, and this question was transferred to the Tánaiste's office.

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