asked the Minister for Industry, Trade, Commerce and Tourism if he will take steps to ensure that reports from State and semi-State bodies under the aegis of his Department are made available to Oireachtas Members at the earliest opportunity rather than the present practice which means that Oireachtas Members may get such data many days after these reports have been publicly discussed and circulated; and if he will make the necessary representations to the bodies concerned.
Written Answers. - State and Semi-State Bodies Reports.
26.
I am satisfied that where legislation requires that reports from State and semi-State bodies under my aegis are required to be presented to the Oireachtas, publication does not take place until this requirement has been complied with. As the Deputy is aware, the presentation process involves placing copies of such reports in the Oireachtas Library. This is normally reported in the Order Paper for the next day on which the Dáil sits, for the information of Deputies.
However, I appreciate that there can be a delay between the time of presentation and the reference thereto in the subsequent Order Paper when, for example, presentation takes place on a Thursday or Friday during a Dáil session or during the recess. In such cases, the reports will have been released publicly during these periods. In my capacity as Leader of the House, I will see if this situation can be improved. While I would be anxious to speed up the flow of information to Deputies, I am also concerned that undue restrictions or difficult requirements should not be placed on the bodies in question.