Dáil debates

Tuesday, 5 October 2004

Responsibilities of Ministers of State: Announcement by Taoiseach.

 

5:00 pm

Photo of Rory O'HanlonRory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Taoiseach wishes to make an announcement for the information of the House.

Photo of Bertie AhernBertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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I wish to announce for the information of the House that the Government has today assigned special responsibilities to Ministers of State as follows: the Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy Fahey, will have special responsibility for equality issues; the Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Deputy Gallagher, will have special responsibility for the marine; the Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture and Food, Deputy Browne, will have special responsibility for forestry; the Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Deputy Callely, will have special responsibility for certain traffic management issues in Dublin and the major cities, road haulage and the Irish Aviation Authority——

(Interruptions).

Photo of Pat RabbittePat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Will that be the end of gridlock?

Photo of Bertie AhernBertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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——the Minister of State at the Departments of Foreign Affairs and the Taoiseach, Deputy Treacy, will have special responsibility for European affairs; the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Deputy Seán Power, will have special responsibility for health promotion and other matters; the Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Batt O'Keeffe, will have special responsibility in the area of environmental protection; the Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Killeen, will have special responsibility for labour affairs, including training; the Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture and Food, Deputy Brendan Smith, will have special responsibility for food and horticulture; and the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Conor Lenihan, whose appointment is effective from today, following the completion of the necessary formalities, will have special responsibility for overseas development and human rights. The assignments to the remaining Ministers of State are unchanged.