Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The programme for Government contains a number of commitments on political reform. This includes Ministers of State playing a more substantive role in policy formation, re-examination of their function within departmental structures and their relationship with Cabinet Ministers. This has not happened to my knowledge but the Taoiseach might enlighten us on what work is happening in this respect. The Department of the Taoiseach has four Ministers of State attached to it. The Minister of State, Deputy McHugh works as Government Whip and the Minister of State, Deputy McEntee, in European affairs. I ask the Taoiseach, in terms of the responsibilities within the Department of the Taoiseach as opposed to their role in other Departments, what the Ministers of State, Deputies Kehoe and Breen, undertake that is specific to the Department of the Taoiseach?

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