Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour)
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234. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence for a digital copy of the Ministerial briefing document provided by his Department on taking office, along with copies of Ministerial briefs provided to Ministers of State of his Department; to outline the duties he intends to delegate by statutory instrument to his Minister of State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7745/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Ministerial Brief has been published and is available at the following link; .

This brief was also provided to the Minister of State.

No formal functions of the Minister for Defence have been delegated to the Minister of State and full responsibility for Defence policies, the Department of Defence, and the Defence Forces remains with the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence. However the Minister of State assists and performs functions, including Oireachtas business, as assigned by me as Minister for Defence on my behalf. Responsibilities of the Minister of State include the following:

• Deputising for the Minister on Defence matters;
• Taking all or specific stages of Defence legislation through the Oireachtas;
• Taking Oral Parliamentary Questions;
• Taking Private Members Business (opening or closing statements) relevant to Defence areas of responsibility;
• Taking Dáil topical issues, Seanad Commencement matters relevant to Defence areas of responsibility; and
• Being a member of the Council of Defence pursuant to Section 11 of the Defence Act 1954.