John Ellis
Question:13 Mr. Ellis asked the Minister for Finance the investigations, if any, he has instigated in relation to the widespread budget leaks prior to 23 January 1996; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1965/96]
Written Answers. - Budget Leaks.
Seamus Brennan
Question:30 Mr. S. Brennan asked the Minister for Finance the inquiries, if any, he carried out into the recent budget Cabinet leaks; and his policy in this regard. [1482/96]
Mary Harney
Question:46 Miss Harney asked the Minister for Finance the action, if any, he intends to take regarding the leaking of confidential budgetary information in advance of the 1996 budget: his views on whether Cabinet confidentiality was breached; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1794/96]
Charlie McCreevy
Question:67 Mr. McCreevy asked the Minister for Finance the investigations, if any, he intends to carry out into the leaking of budget proposals; the action or measures, if any, he will put in place to ensure that future proposals will not be in the public domain prior to budget day; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2552/96]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 13, 30, 46 and 67 together.
On foot of the report of the investigation into 1995 budget leaks, my Department issued a confidential circular to all Departments on 10 April 1995 about unauthorised disclosure of information. This circular sets out general measures to minimise the likelihood of unauthorised disclosure of confidential information, along with actions to be taken where such disclosure occurs.
The report of the investigation into 1995 budget leaks was co-ordinated by the Secretary of my Department, and copies were laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas in June last year. Following that report, my Department issued an internal circular on 19 September 1995, which was copied to other relevant Departments. The circular effectively implemented the recommendations in the 1995 budget leaks report.
In accordance with existing procedures, the Secretary of my Department has initiated an internal inquiry into leaks in relation to those budgetary matters for which my Department is primarily responsible and he will ask his colleagues in other relevant Departments to co-operate with this inquiry.
The Secretary of my Department will co-operate with other Departments in whatever investigation they may carry out in relation to leaks of budgetary matters for which those Departments have primary responsibility.