Jack Wall
Question:11 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the plans, if any, he has to publish a mission statement for his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19142/97]
Written Answers. - Departmental Policy.
A comprehensive statement of strategy was published by the former Department of the Marine in May this year and I am happy to make a copy available to the Deputy. Statements of strategy in respect of the additional responsibilities of the Department in the area of natural resources would have been comprehended by similar documents published by the former Departments of Transport, Energy and Communications and Agriculture, Food and Forestry.
The Deputy will be familiar with the provisions of the Public Service Management Act, 1997, which provides for the preparation of new statements of strategy by Departments. These are required to be submitted by Departments to Ministers within six months of the coming into operation of the Act, that is by 1 March 1998. Work has commenced in my Department in this connection. The statement of strategy will comprehend the Department's mission and values.
On approval by me, the statement of strategy will be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas as provided in the Public Service Management Act.