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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 3, inclusive, together.

The Government recently approved the annual report setting out progress on the programme for Government. It sets out detailed progress since May 2017 on commitments being implemented across government. It will be published shortly and laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas.

In addition to delegation orders that assign responsibility for specific statutory functions, I have also assigned Ministers of State specific responsibilities. Following the appointment of Ministers of State, a set of policy priorities was agreed between me, as Taoiseach, Cabinet Ministers and Ministers of State. On the establishment of the Government, I met each Minister and his or her Ministers of State on a bilateral basis to discuss their short, medium and long-term policy priorities. I have since regularly met Ministers of State to receive their updates on the progress they have made in implementing their programme for Government priorities.

This collaborative model is operating effectively in the Oireachtas, with the Business Committee managing the weekly Dáil business and the new Parliamentary Budget Office established to provide independent and impartial information, analysis and advice for the Oireachtas. The cross-party group on Seanad reform held its first meeting in May and recently I met the Chairmen of all Oireachtas committees to discuss a wide range of issues relevant to their work.

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