MINISTER FOR Arts, Sport and Tourism, Martin Cullen will be “assisted” by Minister of State Martin Mansergh in handling the arts portfolio, the Government has said.
The clarification follows two days of confusion following Taoiseach Brian Cowen’s decision to assign responsibility for the brief to Mr Mansergh during his Tuesday reshuffle of junior ministers.
The Minister of State will be given designated, but so far unspecified, powers by Mr Cullen, but the senior minister will remain in overall charge of the portfolio, said the Government spokesman last night.
Furthermore, Mr Cullen will decide the powers to be granted to Mr Mansergh, said the spokesman, adding that it is unlikely that the issue will be dealt with quickly.
Labour leader Eamon Gilmore urged Tánaiste Mary Coughlan to bring “an end to this comedy of errors” by publishing the designation of ministerial powers order immediately.
“I see from newspaper reports that the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism sees the role of the Minister of State, Deputy Mansergh, as a bag carrier for him,” said Mr Gilmore.
Tanaiste Mary Coughlan replied: “The Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism is Deputy Cullen and he will be assisted admirably by the Minister of State, who has been assigned to the Department of Finance and the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism.
“Given the new era of teamwork, it is appropriate to tell the House that that is what we have – a very good team, and we will share responsibility.”
However, Mr Cullen, to jeers from the Opposition benches, then interjected: “There is no doubt who will be blamed when things go wrong. That is par for the course.”
