Department of State (Ireland)
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A Department of State (Irish: Roinn Stáit), of Ireland, is a department or ministry of the Government of Ireland. The head of such a department is a Minister of the Government (Irish: Aire Rialtais), often called a 'cabinet minister' or 'government minister' which should not be confused with Minister of State which is a junior non-cabinet minister who is attached to a Department of State and assists a Minister of the Government.
The law regarding the Departments of State and Ministers of the Government is detailed in the Ministers and Secretaries Act 1924 and amendments. The Constitution of Ireland also has significant legal effect on functions and structures.
[edit] Overview
There are fifteen individual Departments of State in the Irish Government. Each Department is led by a Minister of the Government, who is appointed by the President on the nomination of the Taoiseach and approval of Dáil Éireann, and cover matters that require direct political oversight. For all Departments, the Minister in question is simply known as Minister for... and is a member of the Cabinet, a cabinet level minister without a department is called a Minister without portfolio but currently there is none of such standing. A Minister of the Government is generally supported by a team of junior ministers, officially called Ministers of State, and may delegate powers to such officials in accordance with law.
The Minister of the Government has the power to suggest and propose new or amended legislation to the Government relating to matters that arise in his or her own department. Ministers also entitled to make "Statutory Instruments", also known as delegated or secondary legislation. Statutory Instruments allow the minister to give effect to or implement legislation without the need to have every detail passed by the Oireachtas. Statutory Instruments do not have to be approved by the Oireachtas, although they may be cancelled by either the Dáil or the Seanad.
Each Department of State has a permanent staff that remains in office regardless of changes in Government or the Oireachtas. The Departments' staff are described as the civil service. The administrative management of the Department is led by a senior civil servant known as a Secretary-General. These officials advise and assist the minister in the running of the department.
[edit] List of Departments of State
This is a list of current Departments of State, listed under their present title.
| Department of State | Creation | Minister |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture, Fisheries & Food | 1919 | Brendan Smith |
| Defence | 1919 | Willie O'Dea |
| Enterprise, Trade & Employment | 1919 | Mary Coughlan |
| Environment, Heritage & Local Government | 1919 | John Gormley |
| Finance | 1919 | Brian Lenihan, Jnr |
| Foreign Affairs | 1919 | Micheál Martin |
| Justice, Equality & Law Reform | 1919 | Dermot Ahern |
| Communications, Energy & Natural Resources | 1921 | Eamon Ryan |
| Education & Science | 1921 | Batt O'Keeffe |
| Taoiseach | 1937 | Brian Cowen |
| Health & Children | 1947 | Mary Harney |
| Social & Family Affairs | 1947 | Mary Hanafin |
| Community, Rural & Gaeltacht Affairs | 1956 | Éamon Ó Cuív |
| Transport | 1959 | Noel Dempsey |
| Arts, Sport & Tourism | 1977 | Martin Cullen |
This is a list of past Departments of State, listed under their final title.
| Department of State | Operation | Subsumed by |
|---|---|---|
| Department of Posts & Telegraphs | 1922–1984 | Department of Communications |
| Department of the Co-ordination of Defensive Measures | 1939–1945 | Department of Defence |
| Department of Supplies | 1939–1945 | Department of Industry & Commerce |
| Department of Labour | 1966–1993 | Department of Enterprise & Employment |
| Department of the Public Service | 1973–1987 | Department of Tourism & Transport |
| Department of Communications | 1984–1991 | Department of Tourism, Transport & Communications |
| Department of Equality & Law Reform | 1993–1997 | Department of Justice, Equality & Law Reform |
