Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 and 2 together.

In accordance with the Public Service Management Act 1997 a new three-year statement of strategy will be prepared by my Department within six months. The current Statement of Strategy 2016 - 2019 reflects the role of the Department which is, to support the Taoiseach and the Government, to develop a sustainable economy and a successful society, to pursue Ireland’s interests abroad, to implement the programme for Government and to build a better future for Ireland and all her citizens.

The strategy statement is aligned to the Government’s key priorities and policies and it sets out the following six strategic priorities: providing excellent support services for the Taoiseach and Government; ensuring Ireland has sustainable economy; helping to ensure that Government policies and services support a socially inclusive and fair society; ensuring that Ireland maintains strong relationships in Europe and the World; ensuring the best possible outcomes for Ireland in relation to Brexit - this, of course, includes protecting the common travel area and the peace process; and planning for the future in the context of all of the many uncertainties arising in the international environment. I have already set out to the House a number priorities across Government, including meeting the challenges of Brexit and managing the evolving relationships across Europe and on these Islands.

It is also vital that Ireland’s public finances remain on a firm footing as preparations continue for Budget 2018 and a new capital infrastructure plan for Ireland is finalised. Protecting Ireland’s growing economy is critical to ensuring Ireland is an equal society, creating equal opportunities for all its people to participate and share in our prosperity.

The new statement of strategy will draw from these areas and outline the priorities to guide the work of my Department for the coming three years. Following its submission to Government, the strategy will be published and laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas.

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