asked the Taoiseach if he will state when it is proposed to establish formally the two new Ministries announced several months ago; and whether he is now in a position to indicate the nature of the services which will be controlled by each such Ministry.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - New Ministries.
Legislation to establish a Department of Public Health and a Department to administer what have been described as the income maintenance services is being prepared and I hope that the Bill for that purpose will be ready for introduction within the next couple of weeks.
As to the nature of the services to be administered by the two new Departments, this will be defined in the Bill. In the meantime, I would refer the Deputy to the general statements which I have previously made in this regard, for example, to my speech in the Dáil on the 30th January last (columns 168 to 173).
Will the Taoiseach say when the proposed legislation will be introduced?
I said in a couple of weeks, I hope.