asked the Minister for Finance if he will state in respect of each Department (a) the number of statutory instruments made, and (b) the number of other Orders or directions having the force of law made during each of the last five years.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Statutory Instruments and Orders.
The information sought is not immediately available and I invite the Deputy to repeat his question in a fortnight's time.
I expect to have the information asked for in relation to statutory instruments, but I should explain that the listing of directions having the force of law would be almost impossible as that would include the many administrative acts carried out by Ministers.
Would the Minister, when giving the required information, give some indication of the number of directions having the force of law and which affect the public generally?
I will consider the matter and will do so, if possible, but I would point out that the issue of directions having the force of law represents a large number of administrative acts done by Ministers from day to day.
I sincerely trust that the Minister is not making the statement that the issue of directions having the force of law is the greater part of the work of Ministers.
I did not say "change the law": "having the force of law" is very different. If the Deputy means the type of amending regulation that is sometimes included in consolidating Acts, it would be easy to get him that information, if he would frame his question in that way.
I should not like to think the Minister made Orders having the force of law——
We cannot have a legal discussion at this stage. Question No. 24.