Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 225: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is responsible for the performance of the functions of his Department in accordance with section 3 of the Public Service Management Act 1997; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9398/05]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The principal legislative provisions relating to the powers of Ministers and Departments are the Ministers and Secretaries Acts 1924 to 1995 and the Public Service Management Act 1997.

Section 2(1) of the Ministers and Secretaries Act 1924 provides that each Minister as head of a Department of State shall be a corporation sole and shall have perpetual succession, an official seal, may sue and be sued and may acquire, hold and dispose of land for the purposes of the functions, powers or duties of the Department of State of which he or she is head or of any branch thereof.

Under section 3 of the Public Service Management Act 1997, as Minister for Foreign Affairs, I am responsible for the performance of functions that are assigned to the Department of Foreign Affairs pursuant to the Ministers and Secretaries Acts.