Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 332: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the practice in his Department relating to the identification for legal and administrative purposes of his Department as an entity separate and distinct from his own legal personality as Minister, indicating whether contracts or other legal rights or liabilities are entered into, accepted or enjoyed in the name of his Department rather than in his own name; if so, the nature of those contracts, rights and liabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8183/05]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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My Department and the office of Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government are indivisible in so far as the legalities of contracts or similar legal arrangements are concerned. As a practical matter, contracts may make reference to either or both the office holder of Minister and the Department. However, this does not entail that my Department enjoys or accepts legal rights, liabilities or entitlements distinct from those of the office of Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.