Jim O'Keeffe
Ceist:4 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Taoiseach whether it is on his initiative that interdepartmental committees are established; and if he will outline the procedure for the establishment of same.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Interdepartmental Committees.
There is no formalised procedure for the establishment of interdepartmental committees which may be established by Departmental, Ministerial or Governmental decision according to the circumstances.
Would the Taoiseach consider that it might be worthwhile to establish a procedure which would be understood by all Ministers for establishing an interdepartmental committee in view of the recent experience of a Deputy in this House who put down questions about an interdepartmental committee with regard to casual trading and the effect it has on traffic and who found that no Minister would accept responsibility for taking the initiative in this area?
There is no need to formalise the situation. Interdepartmental committees are formed from time to time in response to a need. The present system works quite satisfactorily.
If I were to bring the instance to the Taoiseach's attention he might investigate it?
I am always interested to hear constructively from the Deputy on these matters.
Unfortunately the Taoiseach has no choice.