asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state (a) whether the offices of Aer Lingus, Teoranta, Bord Fáilte, and Córas Tráchtála in London are the property of these bodies, or are rented, and, if they are rented, the amount of the rent in each case; and (b) the annual expenses of running those offices, including staff remuneration and other current expenses.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - London Offices of Irish Bodies.
Some of the information the Deputy seeks is contained in the annual reports of the bodies concerned, which are available to Deputies. It is to the bodies concerned the Deputy should look for any additional information he requires. Accommodation and running expenses are matters of administration within their own discretion.
Can I take it that any inquiries I make, or that the public may make, to these companies will procure the necessary information?
All I am saying is that these are not matters for which I have official responsibility.
Surely there is some way available through which a Deputy or the public might be fully supplied with such information? Would the Minister be able to tell me whether or not there is any restriction imposed on these bodies so as to prevent them from giving the desired information?
The position is that all these companies are obliged to submit their annual reports to the Dáil, which they do. These reports are available to the Deputy in the Oireachtas Library.
This question has not been raised in any sense of criticism but I should like to find out if I am entitled to get the information from the companies.
The Deputy should not assume he will not get the information until he asks for it first. I suggest he ask the companies.