asked the Taoiseach whether he will state when the appointment of Ministers and the allocation of Departments referred to by him in Dáil Éireann on 13th June, 1951, as not being finally fixed will, in fact, be finally announced.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Appointment of Ministers.
Mr. O'Higgins
As I told the Dáil on the 13th June it is probable that, at a later stage, it will be necessary to have separate Ministers for Health and Social Welfare. Subject to this, the assignment of Departments may now be regarded as fixed.
Does the Taoiseach not consider it desirable that there should be separate Ministers in charge of Social Welfare and of Health as soon as possible because of the many varied problems that have to be dealt with by these two Departments?
I think I indicated that that was my view, but I also pointed out that it was desirable for the present that the Minister who had been in charge of these Departments originally should be allowed to continue until the road is somewhat clearer.