Austin Deasy
Question:25 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Finance when legislation will be introduced to compel witnesses to attend meetings of Dáil committees and to grant privilege to such witnesses. [13782/95]
Written Answers. - Oireachtas Committees Terms of Reference.
Liz O'Donnell
Question:45 Ms O'Donnell asked the Minister for Finance the plans, if any, the Government has to improve the accountability of holders of high office in the State as provided for in the terms of reference of certain committees of the Houses of the Oireachtas; and the holders of high office who are currently accountable to the Dáil or its committees in the light of recent difficulties in respect of requests to the Garda Commissioner to appear before a Dáil committee. [13522/95]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 25 and 45 together.
The current position is that the terms of reference of various Oireachtas committees empower them "to send for persons and papers" but there is no legal compulsion on any person requested to attend or supply papers to comply with such a request.
It is also the case that the level of privilege available to witnesses giving evidence to such committees or supplying documentation to them is limited and may, at times, inhibit the fullest provision of information.
A scheme of a Bill to overcome these problems has been prepared in my Department and arrangements made to have it drafted in the normal way by the Attorney General's Office. The final draft text of that Bill has become available in recent days and I expect to have that text and its introduction to this House approved by Government shortly.
I do not think it appropriate in advance of the publication of that Bill to comment on the detail of specific sections.