asked the Minister for Social Welfare why confidential correspondence between his Department and public representatives concerning members of the public was discarded on a public dump; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Removal of Confidential Documents.
12.
I assume the Deputy is referring to a report in a Sunday newspaper on 2 May, 1982 that confidential documents had been found by the side of the road at Blanchardstown, County Dublin. The documents have since been returned to my Department and the matter has been investigated in the meantime.
All the circumstances, however, including the nature and present condition of the documents, would seem to indicate that they were not sent from my Department to a public dump. I am, of course, very concerned that these documents were removed from my Department's offices and I am having the matter further investigated.