asked the Minister for Tourism and Transport whether any changes are contemplated in the role and functions of his Department vis-á-vis the State-sponsored bodies under its aegis; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

My Department is one of the Departments participating in the Aireacht/Executive Unit programme of reorganisation. This programme entails the hiving off of executive activities from Departments and the strengthening of the policy formulation and policy review roles through the creation of staff support units for planning, finance, personnel and organisation. The function of the staff units will be to assist senior management in the formulation and review of policies and in the presentation to the Minister of alternative policy proposals for consideration.

A high proportion of the executive activity in the areas for which I have responsibility is discharged by State-sponsored bodies and harbour authorities. Most of the executive functions undertaken by the Department are of a technical or regulatory nature and are discharged by units which are largely self-contained. The Department is, therefore, already structured on Aireacht/ Executive Unit lines to a large extent. Staff units already exist in the personnel, organisation and finance areas and I have recently taken a further step towards strengthening the Department through the creation of a planning unit.

The planning unit will be of particular importance because of the extent and impact of the capital programme of the State-sponsored bodies and the vital role of these undertakings in the economic and social life of the country. The role of this unit, when fully operational, will be to assist in the analysis of aims and objectives in the tourism and transport sectors, to advise on goals and targets to be set, and to assist in the appraisal of existing policies and of the results of the State-sponsored bodies.

It is a primary aim of the Government to secure renewed and accelerated economic growth. The State-sponsored bodies generally have played a significant role over the years in their contribution to economic development and I am concerned to ensure that the State bodies under the aegis of my Department will continue to contribute in an effective and significant way to the expansion of the economy and the creation of productive employment. This will be an important consideration in the development of the relationship between my Department as restructured and the State bodies operating in the tourism and transport sectors.

Can the Minister say whether the changes he has outlined will inhibit in any way the traditional autonomy and independence of action of the semi-State bodies under the aegis of his Department?

They will not.

7.