Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputies for their contributions and reiterate our intention to ensure the work of the new Ministers of State achieves the whole-of-government approach we are trying to implement and which is reflected in the programme for Government. This will be achieved by many of the Ministers of State presiding over cross-departmental structures and teams, as in the case of the fisheries and marine portfolios which are assigned to various Departments, for example, the Departments of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the Environment, Climate and Communications. Having different Ministers of State involved in several Departments will ensure they pull the respective policy structures together in these areas. Some Ministers of State will focus on one particular or key area, as in the case, for example, of migration. With this complement of Ministers of State, the Government will be able to respond to many of the areas in focus and ensure the administration of Government and response to all policy needs are met in the context of ever evolving and complex areas of policy.

In my initial contribution, I set out the specific references in the Bill in the context of what the legislation is intended to do. I commend the Bill to the House.

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