asked the Taoiseach if the Government have decided on the best method of bringing under review by the Oireachtas the activities and financial operations of State-sponsored corporations, such as the Electricity Supply Board, Aer Lingus, Teoranta, Irish Sugar Company, and Bord na Móna.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - State-Sponsored Corporations.
In reply to a Dáil question by Deputy Flanagan on the 3rd November, the Minister for Finance expressed his agreement with the view that it is unsatisfactory that the accounts and activities of State-sponsored bodies should receive no systematic consideration by the Oireachtas. He added that the Government had had this problem under consideration, but had deferred a decision as to how it might be solved until they had studied in detail the activities of a few typical bodies of the kind concerned.
The question of the best method of bringing the activities and financial operations of such bodies under review is still under consideration, and it is hoped that a decision in regard to it will be taken at an early date.
Arising out of the Taoiseach's reply, was any finality achieved in the consideration to which the Taoiseach made reference on 24th June of last year in response to a parliamentary query from me?
The Deputy will appreciate that it has been considered, and that the best method of dealing with that particular matter is one that has to be decided, having regard to our experience of the working of these companies. We are watching out with a view to seeing what is best to be done. It may be that some will disappear or that some which are there will have better methods provided for having their activities brought under review by this House.
Am I correct in thinking that the Taoiseach concurs in the view that there should be a systematic and periodical review of the activities of all these bodies?
Yes. That has been made clear.