Ministerial Responsibilities.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 9 March 2005

Wednesday, 9 March 2005

Questions (179)

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

220 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Transport the practice in his Department relating to the identification for legal and administrative purposes of his Department as an entity separate and distinct from his own legal personality as Minister, indicating whether contracts or other legal rights or liabilities are entered into, accepted or enjoyed in the name of his Department rather than in his own name; if so, the nature of those contracts, rights and liabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8177/05]

Written answers

Minister for Transport (Mr. Cullen)

The Minister as a corporation sole is a legal entity, separate from his own personnel capacity as a person. The department has no legal personality of its own. My Department does not enjoy nor does it accept legal rights or liabilities distinct from those of my office as Minister.