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TUESDAY, 4 OCTOBER 2005 The Home Office is to come under new leadership, President Grieve announced on Friday. By executive announcement AU2005-004, the Interior Ministry portfolio has temporarily been entrusted to a Director, with Mr Ben Gray appointed to the position by the same Announcement. Though a newcomer to the Republic, President Grieve believes Mr Gray has demonstrated the resources and administrative ability to keep the Home Office functional in the absence of an Interior Minister. The President also stressed this remains a temporary measure.

This sentiment is reflected in the wording of AU2005-004, which places strict limits to the Director’s tenure with the Home Office.

The appointment spearheads a new initiative by the Áras, aiming to open up government roles to non-Ministers and thereby enabling greater participation by the citizens of the Republic. With several Bureaus in the pipeline, the President is to encourage the Dáil and Cabinet portfolios to follow suit. In particular, President Grieve is keen to see the Foreign and Overseas Territories Office (FOSTO) adopt this approach, and create a number of vacancies in the areas of Relations and Governorship. The FOSTO has seen significant growth in the past term under the capable control of Minister Ó Ceallaigh, and it is believed the new initiative will stimulate further development.

Bureau of Information,
Áras an Uachtaráin.

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