Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 May 2015
226. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the duties and/or responsibilities that have been delegated to the Minister of State (details supplied) in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17833/15]
View answerOn 15 July 2014 Minister Phelan was appointed to be Minister of State at the Departments of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, and Transport, Tourism and Sport with special responsibility for rural economic development, rural transport and, in particular, the implementation of the Commission for the Economic Development of Rural Areas (CEDRA) Report. In December 2014, in addition to her existing responsibilities, the Government assigned Minister Phelan to the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government with special responsibility for Local/Community/Rural Economic Development issues, including implementation of the CEDRA report.
The thirty four CEDRA recommendations are very wide ranging and cover issues that fall within the remit of a number of Government Departments. The recommendations cover areas as diverse as investment and finance, local enterprise support, community capability building, social enterprise, broadband, roads, water, rural transport, artisan foods, creative industries, tourism and recreation, marine and renewable energy. Minister Phelan has established and chairs an Inter-Departmental Group to coordinate and oversee action on all these issues. This does not necessarily involve specific delegated functions. Insofar as my Department is concerned there are no legislative acts to be formally delegated to Minister Phelan.
