Ministerial Dialogue

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 October 2016

Tuesday, 25 October 2016

Questions (521)

Dara Calleary

Question:

521. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the delegated responsibilities he has given to Ministers of State in his Department; when the order of delegated responsibility was signed; if he included his Ministers of State in direct discussions or meetings with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform as part of pre-budget discussions; if so, the dates of such meetings and the attendance at each meeting; if a Minister of State was not included, the reason this was the position, in view of the designated responsibilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31908/16]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

While the delegation order has yet to be signed, Minister of State Andrew Doyle has assumed responsibility for Forestry, Horticulture, Food Safety and the Greyhound Industry. It is expected that a Memo for Government will be brought before Cabinet shortly requesting execution of a draft order delegating these functions to Minister Doyle.

I met with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform on a number of occasions informally as part of the pre-budget consultative process. I also met him on a formal basis on Tuesday 27 September to discuss all aspects of my Department's budget for 2017. In conjunction with this my officials were in ongoing and frequent contact with their counterparts in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform during this period.

I meet with Minister of State Doyle on a regular basis. In the run up to the Budget we consulted on several occasions in relation to expenditure items falling under the responsibilities to be delegated to him and I briefed him on the discussions and meetings I and my officials had with Minister Donohoe and his officials.