Vol. 372 No. 12
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if briefs and responsibilities have been given to the Ministers of State at his Department, whether these have been outlined in detail in Statutory Instruments; if he will outline their roles; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
40.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the areas delegated by order to the Minister of State with responsibility for trade and marketing; the degree, if any, of overlap with other Departments involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 18 and 40 together.
The Minister of State with responsibility for Science and Technology is being allocated responsibility for the following broad functional areas: Science and Technology; Industrial Research, Standards; certain aspects of Information Technology including the Electronics and Telecommunications Equipment industries and Software; Legislation in respect of Industrial and Intellectual Property (Patents, Design, Trade Marks and Copyright).
As already outlined to this House by An Taoiseach, the Minister of State with responsibility for Trade and Marketing will have responsibility for all aspects of trade development, export promotion and marketing. Accordingly he will be responsible for the activities of the international trade division of my Department including Córas Tráchtála and the Irish Goods Council.
The responsibilities being delegated to the Minister of State will not result in any overlap with other Departments.
The Statutory Instruments giving effect to the delegation of functions to the Ministers of State are being finalised.
