Simon Coveney
Ceist:138 Mr. Coveney asked the Taoiseach the responsibilities of the Government's new e-Minister. [17425/02]
Written Answers. - Ministerial Responsibilities.
The Government appointed Deputy Hanafin as Minister of State at my Department and Government Chief Whip. The Minister of State, as Chief Whip, is primarily responsible for the organisation of Government business in the Dáil and for the Government's programme for Dáil reform. She also oversees preparation of the Government's legislative programme and has responsibility for the Central Statistics Office. I have also assigned her special responsibility for information society development.
A large number of Ministers and Departments have responsibility for advancing various aspects of the information society agenda and Deputy Hanafin will monitor progress, with particular regard to advancing strategic priorities. Co-ordination will be facilitated through the Cabinet committee on the information society, on which the Minister of State will have a lead functional responsibility, supported by the policy unit in the Department of the Taoiseach which supports her work.