Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 12 Nov 1997

Vol. 482 No. 6

Written Answers. - Non-Commercial Agencies.

Richard Bruton

Question:

163 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Public Enterprise when annual reports were most recently published for each non-commercial agency under the aegis of her Department; when annual accounts were most recently published by these bodies; whether they are subject to outside scrutiny by the Comptroller and Auditor General or another independent audit body; whether the public have a right to see a register of members interests in relation to these bodies; whether they allow members of the public attend their meetings; whether board papers or minutes are available for public inspection where matters of commercial or legal confidentiality are not involved; whether there is a procedure specifying the circumstances in which she may direct these bodies; and whether they are free to publish advice relevant to the public without recourse to her. [18939/97]

Minister for Public Enterprise (Mrs. O'Rourke)

There are two non-commercial agencies under the aegis of my Department, the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland and the National Oil Reserves Agency, a subsidiary company of the Irish National Petroleum Corporation.

The Energy Advisory Board established to advise me on energy efficiency, renewable energy policy and the related areas of research also publishes an annual report, the most recent of which is for the period 1 January to 31 December 1996.

The following information is in respect of the RPII and NORA:

	Items Requested	RPII	NORA
1.	Latest Annual Report and Accounts	1 January-31 December 1995	June 1995-December 1996
2.	Date Report and Accounts published	December 1996	Due to be published shortly
3.	Auditors	Comptroller and Auditor General	KPMG
4.	Is the Register of board members interests subject to Parliamentary scrutiny?	No	No
5.	Is the Register of board members interests open to the public?	No	No
6.	Are Board meetings open to the public?	No	No
7.	Are Board papers, minutes etc. available for public inspection?	No	No
8.	Instruments which specify the Procedures by which the Minister may direct the Agency	Radiological Protection Act, 1991 (No. 9 of 1991)	European Communities (Minimum Stocks of Petroleum Oils) Regulations, 1993 (S.I. No. 96 of 1995)
9.	Is the Agency free to publish advice relevant to the public without recourse to the Minister?	Yes, in respect of matters relating to radiological safety	No function in relation to issuing advice to the public