Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 6: To ask the Taoiseach the responsibilities of the Ministers of State at his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30250/10]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 7: To ask the Taoiseach the current responsibilities of Ministers of State at his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35870/10]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 8: To ask the Taoiseach the roles and responsibilities of Ministers of State at his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41384/10]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 6 to 8, inclusive, together.

On 23 March 2010, the Government appointed Deputy Curran as Government Chief Whip and Minister of State at my Department and at the Department of Defence and Deputy Calleary as Minister of State at my Department and at the Departments of Finance and Enterprise, Trade and Innovation. The Minister of State has special responsibility for public service transformation and labour affairs. Deputy Roche was reappointed as Minister of State at my Department and as Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs with special responsibility for European affairs on 22 April 2009.

As Chief Whip, the Minister of State, Deputy Curran, is primarily responsible for the organisation of Government business in the Dáil and for the Government's programme of Dáil reform. He also oversees the preparation of the Government's legislative programme. In addition, my statutory functions in respect of the Central Statistics Office have been delegated to the Minister of State.

The responsibilities of the Minister of State, Deputy Calleary, within my Department are additional to those associated with his role as Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation with responsibility for labour affairs. His new role allows him to co-ordinate the transformation effort across the public service with a view to creating a more integrated, customer-focused and fit-for-purpose public service.

Within my Department, the Minister of State, Deputy Roche, chairs an interdepartmental co-ordinating committee on European Union affairs. This committees keeps under review, and works to ensure coherence in respect of, the full range of issues on the EU's agenda. It has a particular focus on the correct and timely transposition of EU legislation. In addition, the Minister of State represents the Government at a wide range of EU and international meetings. The Minister of State also plays a central role in consolidating and further developing Ireland's bilateral relations with EU member states. Furthermore, he plays a key role in communicating the importance of the European Union to Ireland and fostering enhanced public understanding of EU issues.

Questions relating to the functions of particular Ministers of State at other Departments should be tabled to the relevant senior Ministers.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Which Minister of State has been given responsibility for the implementation of the national drugs strategy?

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Responsibility in that regard now lies with the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Pat Carey.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The Minister of State, Deputy Curran, did have responsibility for implementing the strategy and I was not aware that said responsibility had been transferred to the Minister, Deputy Pat Carey.

Does the Minister of State, Deputy Calleary, have responsibility for the transformation of the public service and, if so, is he conducting negotiations in respect of the changes to be brought about under the terms of the Croke Park agreement? Is the Minister of State actively pursuing a strategy in order that when the review date arrives, the changes that have been made and the new ways of providing services that have been implemented can be identified?

Is the Minister of State, Deputy Curran, who has responsibility for Dáil reform, going to introduce proposals for changes to the way we operate prior to the end of the year? We have gone around in circles in respect of this matter on 40 occasions in recent times and nothing has changed.

Will that great Minister of State, Deputy Roche, who has responsibility for European affairs, be conducting the discussions with President Van Rompuy when he visits Ireland as part of his tour of the various member states? The purpose of these visits is to investigate with the various Governments the position regarding the establishment of a mechanism to prevent another serious default on sovereign debt within the Union. As the Taoiseach is aware, President Van Rompuy will be visiting all 27 member states. Will the Minister of State, Deputy Roche, be dealing with this matter or will it be the Taoiseach's responsibility?

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The President of the Council deals primarily with Heads of State and Governments. In regard to the Minister of State, Deputy Calleary, he has responsibility for labour affairs, which is an important responsibility. As he also has departmental responsibilities in the Departments of Finance and the Taoiseach, it allows him to provide a cross-governmental approach to the public services transformation agenda. In regard to the Minister of State, a question has been tabled on the matter which he can answer.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Is the Minister of State, Deputy Calleary, dealing with the Croke Park agreement directly?

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The Minister of State, Deputy Calleary, will deal with it in the context of the public service transformation agenda. Clearly the Croke Park agreement is an important part of that. Wider or more general social partnership discussions with stakeholders like ICTU or IBEC will continue to be dealt with by me and the Minister for Finance and will be attended, where appropriate, by the Minister of State.