asked the Taoiseach if he will introduce legislation whereby members of the Dáil will be enabled to seek information concerning statutory bodies who receive assistance from State funds.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Information on Statutory Bodies.
2.
I presume that the Deputy has in mind State bodies in receipt of assistance from voted moneys. I consider that legislation on the lines envisaged by the Deputy is not necessary. At present, in the case of such bodies, there is opportunity for annual parliamentary debate on their affairs. The Minister directly responsible usually gives a detailed account to the Dáil of the policy objectives and programmes of the bodies under discussion and answers specific questions raised by Deputies in the course of the debate. Further-more, the annual reports and accounts of these bodies are laid before the House.
Deputies also have recourse to the parliamentary question and, of course, they may contact these bodies direct for information. The Deputy will appreciate, however, in regard to statutory bodies, that it is not proper to reveal information which may be considered as a breach of commercial secrecy or as an undue interference in the managerial independence to which these bodies must be entitled if they are to be enterprising and efficient. I would add, however, that the general position is being re-examined in the light of the recommendations in relation to these bodies in the report of the Public Services Organisation Review Group.
Is the Taoiseach aware that State bodies disburse public funds and that it is impossible for Members of this House elected by the Irish people to get any information from the Taoiseach as head of the Government or any of the appropriate Ministers? To illustrate my point I shall ask the Taoiseach about the £800,000 that was supposed to be disbursed last year by Bord Fáilte.
We cannot have a discussion on this.
That is a question.
The Deputy is out of order.
That is a question and I want the Taoiseach to answer it.
Question No. 3.
May I have a reply from the Taoiseach? He states by way of answer to a Dáil question that this information can be made available. I find it is not possible for me as one Member of the House — and I think the same applies to other Deputies — to get information which we should like to have on the disbursement of public funds provided by the Irish people to State-sponsored bodies.
The fullest information possible is made available to the House having regard to ordinary commercial prudence. In the specific matter referred to by the Deputy there is a similar problem, but as I indicated to the Deputy the Public Services Organisation Review Group have reported and their report is being examined. A major decision has already been taken and further decisions will be made according as the examination is completed.
Does the Taoiseach——
I am calling Question No. 3.
Does the Taoiseach think it fair or just that Members of this House cannot get information on the disbursement of substantial sums——
The Deputy has said that at least three times.
——to companies and individuals by a State-sponsored body from money provided by public funds? This is something at which I have been hammering for a number of years and I hope to continue to do it.
I can only say to the Deputy that is one of the matters under consideration and I cannot say in advance what the position will be.