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

Tógfaidh mé Ceisteanna Uimh. 12 go 14, go huile, le chéile.

The economic division of my Department assists me and the Government in developing and implementing policy across relevant areas, including economic growth and job creation, infrastructure and housing and climate action and social dialogue. The work especially focuses on the deliver of commitments in the programme for Government and co-ordination of issues that cut across multiple Departments. The division also supports the work of the Cabinet committees on economy and investment, housing and the environment and climate change.

Transport-related issues can arise at each of these committees and others, given their relevance to multiple policy areas, such as climate action, economic growth and provision of housing. For example, the Cabinet committee on the environment and climate change considers environmental and climate change dimensions of transport, as well as the implementation of transport-related policies and measures contained in the Government's climate action plan. The Cabinet committee on the economy and investment oversees the implementation of the programme for Government commitments aimed at sustainable economic recovery, investment and job creation. The Cabinet committee on housing deals with matters of transport as they relate to the support of large scale delivery of housing under Housing for All. This includes the monitoring of the progress of major transport oriented development opportunities. Issues relevant to the sector can arise at other Cabinet committees, such as the Cabinet committee on Northern Ireland and, as with all policy areas, they are regularly discussed at full Cabinet meetings where all formal Government decisions are made. In addition to meetings of the Cabinet and Cabinet committees, I regularly meet Ministers, including the Minister for Transport, to discuss particular issues of concern.

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