Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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95. To ask the Taoiseach if there are officials or others in his Department who deal with Independent Deputies in the context of A Programme for a Partnership Government or other issues at their request. [26227/18]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The Programme for Partnership Government sets out the agreement between the Party Groups and Deputies who are participating in/or supporting the Government.

My Department, as outlined in the Strategy Statement, provides support services for the Taoiseach and the Government, including the Independent Members of Government, through the Government Secretariat, the Parliamentary Liaison Unit, the Programme for Government Office and the Cabinet Committee structure to ensure Government business is managed to the highest standards.

The Chief Strategist for the Independent Alliance and the Political Coordinator for the Independent Ministers in Government are also based in my Department.

The Deputy Press Secretary, who is also based in my Department, is tasked with coordinating communications for all the Independents in Government.

Where any Deputy in the House contacts my office with a representation this is responded to as promptly as possible.