Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

The Taoiseach was being somewhat disingenuous in saying it is just a co-ordination issue. Fundamentally, he has taken the entire EU section, which is not just a number of people doing co-ordinating work but is actually the core unit that led for the Department of Foreign Affairs on EU matters and which has now gone to the Department of the Taoiseach. This has fundamental implications for how the Department of Foreign Affairs works in regard to other international bodies such as the United Nations, the OSCE and a range of other international bodies which have a daily interaction with the EU section.

The Taoiseach has not explained how the diplomatic service will fit into this new operation. It may explain the disquiet from some of his Cabinet colleagues in terms of how quiet the Tánaiste has become at the Cabinet table. It may be due to the rationale that he is getting less and less to do if various units and sections are being taken from him.

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