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

I also announced that I had taken wise counsel on that and decided to leave all these matters involving staffing and structure to my Secretary General. That is my decision.

As I have said previously, the unit performs a liaison function to help ensure that Members and Departments are properly informed of the new responsibilities and procedures of the Thirty-second Dáil. If one takes, for example, Private Members' business, the make-up of the current Dáil and the new procedures that have come into place as a result of Dáil reform have resulted in Government doing its business in a different way from previous Governments. It has also meant a dramatically increased workload for Departments, particularly in respect of the volume of Private Members' business. Currently, for example, there are 105 Private Members' Bills awaiting Second Stage in the Dáil and 40 awaiting Committee Stage. Departments can sometimes have several Bills, both Government and Private Members', relative to their area on the Order Paper in either House in any given week. The unit is continuously in contact with the Departments about the progress of these Bills and to assist officials with procedures and any issues that may arise.

The unit was established to perform a liaison function to help ensure that Ministers and Departments are properly informed of new responsibilities and procedures in the Thirty-second Dáil. The main focus of the unit is to liaise with Departments and advisers on Oireachtas matters with a particular emphasis on assisting Departments with Private Members' business. In performing this function the unit has been happy to engage with any member of the Opposition, where appropriate. It is not the function of the unit to ensure the support of Deputies in the House. That is a political function. The parliamentary liaison unit's role is to provide information on Dáil and Seanad issues and on Dáil reform and primarily, the unit assists Departments and advisers on Oireachtas matters.

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