asked the Minister for Local Government if the expert committee which he set up in June 1960 to revise the fire protection standards for certain buildings has issued its findings; and, if so, if he will publish them.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Fire Protection Standards.
31.
This Committee's report will not be available until later this year.
What is the answer to the latter half of the Question? Will the Minister publish it when it is available?
Until I get it, I cannot very well say what I will do.
Is it the Minister's intention to publish the finding, or is it a matter which he would consider as purely Departmental?
I would follow procedure.
What is that?
Whatever it is.
Nobody is impressed by the Minister being rude. I asked a perfectly sensible question. If and when his expert committee reports, is it his intention, first, to publish the report; secondly, to treat it as a Departmental report and not to publish it; or thirdly, to wait until he sees the report?
That is what he said he would do.
What does the Minister intend doing?
Wait until I see it.
I want to ask the Minister further if a report of this kind has been bespoken and is furnished, would it not be better in principle to determine now that it should be laid on the Table of the House and made available to Deputies? Surely it is a matter in which Deputies have a legitimate interest as well as the Minister's Department and the officials thereof? Why should it be kept from the House if it is desirable to furnish it to the Minister?