Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 3 Nov 1994

Vol. 446 No. 7

Written Answers. - Ministerial Responsibility.

Phil Hogan

Question:

183 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Education if any of the civil servants in her Department who have undertaken the MSc programme in public sector management have taken any recent initiatives or actions which might affect the principle that Ministers remain responsible for all aspects of the business of their Departments and must answer to Dáil Éireann for them. [2946/94]

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

None of the civil servants in my Department has taken the MSc programme in public sector management in Trinity College. A senior official in the Department intends to participate in the next cycle of the programme.

The principle to which the Deputy refers could be changed only by amending the Ministers and Secretaries Acts 1924-83 under which Departments of State operate.