Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge the active and constructive leadership of both Ministers of State at the Department of Justice and Equality, Deputies Finian McGrath and David Stanton, in the areas referred to by the Deputy. They undertake a huge amount of work on certain aspects of the remit of the Department. I remind Deputy O'Callaghan that I have responsibilities to the obligations and commitments in the justice and equality areas that were made under the programme for Government last year. I am keen to see those obligations and commitments implemented in full. The Department of Justice and Equality has commenced an external and internal consultation process to identify any additional strategic and cross-agency issues that need to be addressed in the new strategy statement. A number of questions here this afternoon have referred to the relationship between the Department and a range of other Departments, including the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport. I assure the Deputy that a number of responses have already been received on foot of the ongoing consultations. All of them will be considered as the strategy is finalised. I look forward to receiving a formal submission from the Joint Committee on Justice and Equality.

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