asked the Minister for Finance if he will outline the procedure whereby responsibility is transferred from one Department to another and whereby he will ensure that the public are made fully aware of the exact responsibilities of each Department.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Departmental Responsibility.
31.
Functions can be transferred from one Department to another under section 6 of the Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Act, 1939. That section provides that the Government may, by order, transfer the administration and business of any particular public service or of any branch or part of it from one Department to another.
I think it is fair to say that the public in general are already aware of each Department's main area of responsibilities, but it would be impossible to ensure that they knew about each Department's exact responsibilities, particularly in regard to questions that might rarely arise. Naturally, if a service is transferred from one Department to another, the relevant order is published and an announcement about the change is made.
The Minister is an all-rounder today. He is taking the place of the Minister for Justice and the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs.
I have not taken the place of the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs.
The Minister is proving to be a better all-round man today.
Versatile.
Tell the teacher.