Ministerial Responsibilities.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 6 December 2007

Thursday, 6 December 2007

Ceisteanna (33)

Jack Wall

Ceist:

23 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Transport if he has received and reviewed a book (details supplied); his view on the finding of the report that the failure of the Government to re-establish a dedicated Department of the Marine is in opposition to stated EU maritime policy and that the failure to reconvene a dedicated Marine Department will adversely effect marine development; if the transport and marine Department as presently constituted is unwieldy and difficult to manage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32793/07]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)

I have not received the book nor had an opportunity to study it. However, I believe the current allocation of Ministerial responsibilities provides fully for the development of marine and maritime matters. The nature of Government is such that any combination of functions will still require cross Departmental co-operation and co-ordination to deliver the full agenda. This is the case in a maritime context but will not, I believe, adversely affect overall development. The Irish position is not unique and the issue is discussed from time to time at a European level. As the Deputy will be aware, my Department is the Department of Transport and while it covers a broad and very intensive range of issues, I have not found it to be unwieldy or difficult to manage. Indeed I consider that the maritime function is a welcome inclusion and enables the full spectrum of transport issues — land, sea and air — to be considered in context.