Seanad Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 21 Dec 1983

Vol. 102 No. 9

Electoral (Amendment) Bill, 1983. - Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Bill, 1983: Second and Subsequent Stages.

Question proposed: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time."

Minister for Defence (Mr. Cooney)

As the Seanad will be aware, the purpose of this Bill is to give effect to the merger of the Department of Transport and the residual Department of Posts and Telegraphs in a new Department of Communications.

After the vesting date of An Bord Poist and of An Bord Telecom, only a certain number of residual functions will be left with the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs. It is these functions which it is proposed to amalgamate with those of the Minister for Transport in a new Department of Communications.

I should point out that the Taoiseach announced the Government's intention of establishing this new Department when he made a formal statement in Dáil Éireann on 27 October last. Senators, of course, will remember that on 11 December 1979 the then newly elected Taoiseach also signalled his intention of creating such a Department.

This Bill is not in any way concerned with substantive policy matters on communications but I believe that this merging of existing departmental functions in a single new Department underlines the importance of communications. Likewise this merger emphasises, in a practical way, the rational co-ordination, under the aegis of one Department, of all those functions relating to communications.

This of course has also been highlighted in recent years by the very fact that in all Governments since 1979 the Transport and Posts and Telegraphs portfolios have been held by the same Ministers.

The residual functions of the Department of Posts and Telegraphs relate to the particular and specific areas covered by the various Telegraph Acts, the Telecommunications Capital Acts (1924-1981), the Betting Act of 1931 and the Postal and Telecommunications Services Act, 1983. They also include the functions provided for under the Wireless Telegraphy Acts, 1926 to 1972 and the Broadcasting Acts, 1960 to 1979.

The Bill contains provision for all the normal, technical and consequential changes arising out of the abolition of two Departments and the creation of a single new Department in their place. It provides, for example, for the continuing legal validity of all outstanding contracts, bonds and securities following the abolition of the office of the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs and likewise with the Department of Transport.

Section 13 enables the new Minister for Communications to spend and account for the moneys which, under the procedures of the Oireachtas, have to be provided in the name of the Ministers for Transport and Posts and Telegraphs. In effect this section ensures that four-fifths of the sums appropriated in respect of the Departments of Transport and the Posts and Telegraphs in the financial year 1983 may be issued to, and spent and accounted for by the Minister for Communications during 1984. Thus on the day that the office of the Minister for Communications is created it can spend moneys provided for the two abolished Departments until an Estimate for Communications is formally put through the Oireachtas.

I commend this Bill to the Seanad.

Mr. Cassidy

The Department of Posts and Telegraphs have been constituted since we got our independence and it would be appropriate to pay a tribute to the long line of distinguished people who served that Department during the years, not merely for their input to the work of the Department but their involvement in culture and research which resulted in additional credit to the country.

The Department of Transport is a comparative youngster and has a reputation for efficiency. So have many other Departments but this Department more than others. I have no doubt that the high standard of dedication and efficiency of the officials will be maintained in the new Department.

I welcome the Bill as being the logical consequence of the hard work put in by the officials of the Department of Posts and Telegraphs in particular. I do not want to name any of the officers, particularly some who bore very heavy burdens and some who retired in the meantime. I pay them a particular tribute, anonymously, according to the tradition of the House.

This Bill gives us hope for an exciting future. The children of the new Department have expressed their hopes for the future and we hope that the vision, the dream, will be realised because there is no doubt about the dedication of the chairman and the respective executives already appointed.

Mr. O'Leary

A very brief comment on behalf of the Fine Gael group. I welcome the Bill. In my view, the renaming of the various functions and their amalgamation are very sensible and the Bill has our complete support.

Minister for Defence (Mr. Cooney)

I would like to thank Senators and to endorse the tribute paid by Senator Cassidy to all the people who were involved in the Department of Posts and Telegraphs for so many years. The Post Office is the oldest public utility in the State, and has a tremendously long record of service to the public. I have no doubt that under the new State board that traditional service will be maintained, and if possible, enhanced.

I thank Senators for welcoming the Bill.

Question put and agreed to.

Agreed to take remaining Stages today.

Bill put through Committee, reported without amendment, received for final consideration and passed.