asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will outline his policy in relation to the publication of all reports commissioned by his Department or other agencies funded in whole or in part by his Department; if he will introduce changes to the present arrangements to ensure that all such reports are published in future; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Publication of Reports.
38.
My policy generally is to publish the reports of any special inquiries or studies. This, however, does not apply to reports prepared as part of ordinary Departmental operations for internal use.
The publication of reports commissioned by bodies under the aegis of my Department is a matter for those bodies to decide but I would favour publication where a report is of general public interest and does not contain material of a confidential nature.