Close links and co-operation between Departments and offices are of increasing importance in ensuring an effective, co-ordinated and integrated approach to addressing Government business. The statement of strategy 1998-2000 for my Department details areas where the work of my Department inter sects with the work of other Government bodies and outlines how actions will be progressed. These include working with the Departments of the Taoiseach, Finance, Social, Community and Family Affairs, Education and Science, Public Enterprise, Agriculture and Food, Foreign Affairs, Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Tourism, Sport and Recreation and other Government Departments on issues such as implementation of the commitments in Partnership 2000, tackling unemployment, promoting social inclusion, developing taxation policy, management of science and technology initiatives, development of an information society in Ireland, and competition and trade policy.
I have not, to date, found it necessary to establish structures as contemplated by section 12 of the Public Services Management Act. I will, however, keep the position under review with my Government colleagues.