Ministerial Responsibilities.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 9 March 2005

Wednesday, 9 March 2005

Questions (195)

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

236 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the practice in her Department relating to the identification for legal and administrative purposes of her Department as an entity separate and distinct from her own legal personality as Minister, indicating whether contracts or other legal rights or liabilities are entered into, accepted or enjoyed in the name of her Department rather than in her own name; if so, the nature of those contracts, rights and liabilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8179/05]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

Pursuant to section 2(1) of the Ministers and Secretaries Act 1924, a Minister as a corporation sole has the capacity to sue and be sued, to contract and hold property. Contracts relating to the affairs of my Department are either entered into in my name as Minister or where required, by my officials on my behalf as Minister.