Ministerial Responsibilities

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 October 2016

Tuesday, 25 October 2016

Questions (540)

Dara Calleary

Question:

540. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment 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 the Ministers of State were not included the reason this was the position in view of the designated responsibilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31911/16]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment

The Energy and Natural Resources (Delegation of Ministerial Functions) Order 2016 (SI No. 420 of 2016) was signed by the Taoiseach on 13 July 2016 and delegates certain functions in my Department to Minister of State Sean Kyne. A copy of the Order is available at http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2016/si/420/made/en/print.

The principal functions delegated to Minister of State Kyne are in energy and natural resources and comprise the areas of:

- Mineral and Petroleum Exploration;

- Inland Fisheries; and

- The Geological Survey of Ireland.

Other duties may be assigned by me on an administrative basis to the Minister of State from time to time. 

While the delegation of Ministerial functions provide that I retain responsibility for the preparation and negotiation of the annual estimates and determination of overall financial allocations, Minister  Kyne accompanied me at an estimates bilateral meeting with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform on 22 September. This meeting was also attended  by the Secretary General of my Department, the Assistant Secretary for Energy, the Finance Officer and my Special Advisor as well as officials from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. Minister Kyne was also briefed on the estimates at various stages during the estimates process.