asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the precise structure of management within his Department and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Departmental Management Structure.
1.
The precise structure of my Department is as set out at pages 149 to 168 of the 1984 issue of the State Directory.
The Management Advisory Committee of my Department, who are responsible for the functioning of the Department and advise generally in formulating proposals to the Minister, consist of, in addition to the Secretary, the Deputy Secretary and six Assistant Secretaries.
Is the Minister satisfied that the structure pertaining in his Department is the most modern and effective and that it is not due for overhaul and review?
Mr. B. Barry
I could never be fully satisfied with any structure. It can be looked at and where modifications are necessary, they are made. It is operating pretty well at the moment and I am satisfied that no improvements should be made at this stage. If at any stage in the future I thought that they were necessary, I would make them.
In the structure of the Department, is the Minister satisfied that our embassies abroad are doing all that is required of them to assist our export drive? Does he see scope for greater co-operation between our embassies, CTT and our exporters, with a view to improving our export drive and creating badly needed jobs at home?
Of course, I am insisting that our embassies should in all cases assist CTT and other Government agencies and, indeed, individual exporters where they require assistance in selling Irish goods abroad. I think that they have been doing so pretty satisfactorily in many areas and would hope that they would continue to do so.
In regard to the structure of the Department, would the Minister indicate whether the structure to which he has reffered includes a premises in London which is apparently maintained for entertainment purpose? This is seperate and distinct from the embassy there. Would the Minister like to give us some information about this establishment?
There is no such establishment in existence there. However, all officers in the embassies abroad, no matter whether in London or any other city where they are posted, are expected to entertain people and they are given an allowance for that reason.
Is there a house in London which is occupied by an official of the Department, seperate from the embassy, which has a role of entertaining, certainly, politicians and press people of importance? Is there such a place in London?
No, not specifically for that reason. As I say, every officer in every embassy, in London and elsewhere, is expected to use his allowance to entertain people — in his own home preferably, but outside if necessary.
Is the Minister saying to me that there is not in London an official of the Department who resides centrally in London and who has a special allowance and a special remit to entertain prominent and important people?
Would the Deputy put down his question? That matter is not contained in my question.
Not in the sense that Deputy Haughey is implying. Every officer attached to embassies abroad, whether in London, New York, Washington, Ottawa or anywhere else, is given an allowance and expected to use that to entertain people who may be influential in helping this country. That is part of his duties.
So there is nothing exceptional in London in this regard.
No, there is nothing exceptional in London.