Ministerial Responsibilities

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 June 2014

Tuesday, 10 June 2014

Ceisteanna (143)

Lucinda Creighton

Ceist:

143. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will list in tabular form all legislation and specific sections therein that refer to powers delegated to the Minister of State with special responsibility for trade and development; if he will detail the title of the civil servants who are responsible for reporting directly to said Minister of State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24620/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

The Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) (No. 2) Act, 1977 provides for the delegation of statutory Ministerial powers and duties to Ministers of State. This may be done at the request of the Minister concerned, by Government Order. The relatively modest statutory powers of the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade relate to consular, passport and other technical matters and it has never been the practise, or considered necessary, to delegate these. Delegation of non-statutory responsibilities is generally made by way of an informal understanding between a Minister and Minister of State.

The current staffing arrangements for the private and constituency office of the Minister of State for Trade and Development, Mr. Joe Costello T.D., are set out in a table:

Minister of State for Trade and Development, Mr. Joe Costello T.D.

Private Office	Constituency Office
1 Private Secretary (Third Secretary)	1 Personal Assistant
3 Clerical Officers	1 Personal Secretary 1 Clerical Officer