asked the Taoiseach whether the creation of a Ministry of Marine is under consideration.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Ministry of Marine.
4.
The question of the allocation of functions and responsibilities to Government Departments has been the subject of a detailed examination and report by the public services organisation review group. The recommendations include a proposal that the marine works, harbours and inland waterways functions of the Office of Public Works should be transferred to a new Department of Transport and Communications and linked up in that Department with the present marine functions of the Department of Transport and Power. Apart from these recommendations, the creation of a Ministry of Marine as such is not under consideration by the Government. The recommendations of the review group are at present under examination.
Would the Taoiseach agree that the recent negotiations appear to give a new importance to the whole area that would come under a Ministry of Marine? Would the Taoiseach agree that in any rationalisation of Government functions at Cabinet level there is a stronger case to be made now than there was a year ago for the establishment of a separate Ministry of Marine, with the latest announcements of possible mineral developments on the continental shelf and the new importance of our fisheries? Would the Taoiseach agree that, quite apart from the Devlin Report, there is a strong case to be made for the creation of a Ministry of Marine?
The Deputy in the first part of the supplementary question asked did I agree that there was a stronger case now than there was a year ago for the creation of a separate Ministry of Marine. I would agree with that but I would not like to comment on how much stronger it is.
In the present Cabinet there is at least one Ministry that before the end of this year or next year may not have as important a function as it now has. The Land Commission have decreased in importance. I am not referring to change of personnel, but I am asking whether a Ministry of Marine would not seem to be called for in any disappearance of any particular ministerial function?
I am going again as far as I can with the Deputy in saying there is a stronger case now for more attention being paid to marine matters because of the circumstances referred to by the Deputy, but I would not like to say that a Minister of Marine as such would be necessary in order to perform the functions that would be involved.