367. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the responsibilities that were transferred from the Department of Health to his Department on his appointment as Minister; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46306/14]

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (Deputy James Reilly): The Deputy will be aware that since my appointment as the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs I have continued to lead on anti tobacco legislation related to Plain Packaging and to a ban on smoking in cars where children are present.

Since my appointment as the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs I have overseen the continued passage of those pieces of legislation in both the Dail and in the Seanad. The Minister for Health and I, with the assistance of senior officials have agreed a protocol to ensure that both of our departments work together, as required, to ensure the safe passage of the legislation and to provide information around same.

This arrangement has not required a formal transfer of functions but involves agreement over lines of responsibility related to the provision of information.

My Department has a unique cross-government mandate and I, in line with predecessors, will continue to advocate across government on issues which particularly affect children and which would benefit from whole of government action.