asked the Minister for Labour why his name must appear on every letter sent to Members of the Oireachtas regarding any inquiry they may make to his Department.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Correspondence with Department.
38.
It is the practice that letters to my Department from Members of the Oireachtas are replied to by my Private Secretary or myself.
If, however, a letter is addressed personally to the Secretary or any other officer of the Department the officer in question replies.
That is not my experience with either the Department of Labour or the Department of Education. Any letter I write I address to the Secretary of the Department. Can the Minister explain to me why the Secretary does not sign the replies?
If the Deputy writes to an official he is replied to by that official.
That has not been my experience up to now.
Is a Member of this House entitled to get information from the Secretary of the Department concerning any affairs within the Department?
Yes, on all aspects of legislation.
What curbs are imposed on the Secretary?
There are no curbs. This is an open Government.
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Would the Minister ensure that this procedure will be followed in future?