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Ministerial Responsibilities

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 June 2013

Tuesday, 25 June 2013

Ceisteanna (162)

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

162. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if, when responding to parliamentary questions, he will confirm that he has full official responsibility for matters concerning the bilateral relations between this State and other countries aside from EU member states, irrespective of the policy matter to which the question relates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30363/13]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Ireland’s bilateral relations with other States encompass a wide range of political, cultural, economic and social issues. These are progressed by my Department and also by other Departments and State Agencies, depending on the nature of the issue. Parliamentary Questions (PQ) are assigned by the Dáil Questions Office to Ministers on a case-by-case basis. Where the matter raised in a PQ touches on international relations but the policy issue is the responsibility of another Minister, my Department will alert the Questions office and seek to have the question assigned to the appropriate Minister.

I am not in a position to answer PQs on policy matters for which my Department is not responsible. However, information in my Department’s possession relevant to the questions posed is provided when requested by responding Departments to assist them in preparing comprehensive answers.

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