Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Act 2017

What is this act about?

This law establishes a new government department called the Department of Rural and Community Development and defines its associated Minister. It also updates how this new department fits within existing laws.

Who it applies to: The Government of Ireland, specifically regarding the creation of new departments; The Department of Rural and Community Development and its Minister.

At a glance

Country: Ireland
Area of law: Social security
Source: irishstatutebook.ie
Text retrieved: 2026-06-17
Explanation updated: 2026-07-08

What does this act regulate?

The establishment of a new Department of State.
The official names of this Department in both Irish and English.
The official names of the Minister in charge of this Department in both Irish and English.
How existing laws, specifically the Ministers and Secretaries Acts and the Documentary Evidence Act 1925, apply to this new Department and Minister.

Who does this act apply to?

The Government of Ireland, specifically regarding the creation of new departments.
The Department of Rural and Community Development and its Minister.

What are the key points?

A Department of State, known as An Roinn Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail or the Department of Rural and Community Development, is established upon the passing of this Act.
The Minister in charge of this Department will be known as an tAire Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail or the Minister for Rural and Community Development.
The Ministers and Secretaries Acts 1924 to 2013 and the Documentary Evidence Act 1925 apply to this new Department and Minister.
This Act, along with the Ministers and Secretaries Acts 1924 to 2013, can be cited together as the Ministers and Secretaries Acts 1924 to 2017.

Social security

Old Age Pension Act, 1924

Superannuation and Pensions Act, 1923

Social Welfare Act, 1974

Sea Fisheries Act, 1931

British-Irish Agreement (Amendment) Act, 2002

Vocational Education (Amendment) Act, 1947

Connaught Rangers (Pensions) Act, 1936

Courts of Justice and Court Officers (Superannuation) Act, 1961

Social security

Legal text

Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Act 2017 Skip to content Disclaimer Feedback Helpdesk Gaeilge Léim go dtí an t-ábhar Séanadh Aiseolas Deasc chabhrach English Gaeilge English Produced by the Office of the Attorney General Táirgthe ag Oifig an Ard-Aighne Home Legislation Acts of the Oireachtas Statutory Instruments Pre-1922 Legislation Constitution External Resources Bills (Houses of the Oireachtas) Iris Oifigiúil / Official Gazette Revised Acts (LRC) Classified List of Legislation (LRC) Translations (acts.ie) Translations (Houses of the Oireachtas) Government Publications for Sale EU Law (EUR-Lex) FAQ Disclaimer Feedback Helpdesk Search Baile Reachtaíocht Achtanna an Oireachtais Ionstraimí Reachtúla Reachtaíocht Réamh-1922 Bunreacht Acmhainní Seachtracha Billí (Tithe an Oireachtais) Iris Oifigiúil Achtanna Athbhreithnithe (CAD) (An Coimisiún um Athchóiriú an Dlí) Liosta Rangaithe Reachtaíochta Aistriúcháin (achtanna.ie) Aistriúcháin (Tithe an Oireachtais) Foilseacháin Rialtais ar Díol Dlí AE (EUR-Lex) CCanna (Ceisteanna Coitianta) Séanadh Aiseolas Deasc chabhrach Cuardach TitleTeideal Year(s) or rangeBliain nó blianta nó raon TypeCineál All Legislation Acts Statutory Instruments Advanced SearchCuardach Casta HomeBaile ActsAchtanna 2017 Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Act 2017 Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Act 2017 Permanent Page URL View by SectionAmharc de réir Ailt View Full ActAmharc ar an Acht Iomlán Bill History Stair Bille Commencement, Amendments, SIs made under the Act Tosach Feidhme, Leasuithe, IRí arna ndéanamh faoin Acht Open PDFOscail PDF Print Full ActPriontáil an tAcht Iomlán Number 18 of 2017 MINISTERS AND SECRETARIES (AMENDMENT) ACT 2017 CONTENTS Section 1. Department of Rural and Community Development 2. Short title, collective citation and construction Acts Referred to Documentary Evidence Act 1925 (No. 24) Ministers and Secretaries Act 1924 (No. 16) Ministers and Secretaries Acts 1924 to 2013 Number 18 of 2017 MINISTERS AND SECRETARIES (AMENDMENT) ACT 2017 An Act to provide for the establishment of a Department of State to be known, in the Irish language, as An Roinn Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail or, in the English language, as the Department of Rural and Community Development and to provide for related matters. [19th July, 2017] Be it enacted by the Oireachtas as follows:

Department of Rural and Community Development 1. (1) There shall stand established on the passing of this Act a Department of State to be known, in the Irish language, as An Roinn Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail or, in the English language, as the Department of Rural and Community Development.

(2)The member of the Government who is in charge of the Department of Rural and Community Development shall be known, in the Irish language, as an tAire Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail or, in the English language, as the Minister for Rural and Community Development.

(3)The Ministers and Secretaries Acts 1924 to 2013 and the Documentary Evidence Act 1925 shall apply to the Department of Rural and Community Development and the member of the Government who is in charge thereof as if that Department had been established by section 1 of the Ministers and Secretaries Act 1924 .

Short title, collective citation and construction 2. (1) This Act may be cited as the Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Act 2017.

(2)The Ministers and Secretaries Acts 1924 to 2013 and this Act may be cited together as the Ministers and Secretaries Acts 1924 to 2017 and shall be construed together as one Act.

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