514. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will ensure that when a communication in relation to wrongdoing is received in his Department the communication will be deemed to have come to his attention; if he will confirm that, while he is not expected to personally exercise the function of dealing with wrongdoing, he is responsible for ensuring that the function is exercised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17098/14]

Whilst the volume of correspondence received in the Minister’s Office militates against me dealing with all issues arising personally, all correspondence in relation to alleged criminal wrongdoing or other such serious matters would be deemed appropriate to be brought to my personal attention. In the usual course of events such correspondence would subsequently be sent to the appropriate division for consideration of the issues arising and the drawing up of a draft reply for relay to the relevant correspondent.