A
government or
state agency, often an appointed
commission, is a permanent or semi-permanent organization in the
machinery of government that is responsible for the oversight and administration of specific functions, such as an
intelligence agency. There is a notable variety of agency types. Although usage differs, a government agency is normally distinct both from a department or
ministry, and other types of public body established by
government. The functions of an agency are normally executive in character, since different types of organizations (
such as commissions) are most often constituted in an advisory role—this distinction is often blurred in practice however.