A
Department of State () of
Ireland, is a department or ministry of the
Government of Ireland. The head of such a department is a
Minister of the Government (), 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.
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...
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