Micheál Martin
Question:58. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach the way his Department is interacting with the EU unit in the Department of Foreign Affairs on a weekly basis. [33239/16]
View answerTuesday, 8 November 2016
Questions (58)
Written answers
There is ongoing interaction on EU issues on a daily basis between the Department of the Taoiseach and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Under the restructuring I announced in July, a Second Secretary General has been appointed to lead a new integrated Division in the Department of the Taoiseach with responsibility for supporting me on EU, Northern Ireland, British-Irish and International affairs, including through the Cabinet Committee on European Affairs and the new Cabinet Committee on Brexit.
A Second Secretary General has also been appointed to lead a new EU Division in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade which, working closely with my Department, now has lead responsibility for coordination of EU affairs generally.
The two Second Secretaries General and their respective teams engage closely on an ongoing basis to ensure that a comprehensive, whole-of-Government approach to EU affairs is provided.
In addition to the regular engagement between the Department of the Taoiseach and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, there is of course ongoing interaction across all Government Departments on the range of EU issues including through regular meetings of the Senior Officials Group on the EU and the Inter-Departmental Group on Brexit.