Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 12 Nov 1997

Vol. 482 No. 6

Written Answers. - Non-Commercial Agencies.

Richard Bruton

Question:

270 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Finance when annual reports were most recently published for each non-commercial agency under the aegis of his 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 he may direct these bodies; and whether they are free to publish advice relevant to the public without recourse to him. [18942/97]

Minister for Finance (Mr. McCreevy)

The information requested by the Deputy in respect of the non-commercial agencies under the aegis of my Department is set out in the following table. The agencies concerned are the Central Bank, the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) and the Institute of Public Administration (IPA).

	Central Bank	ESRI	IPA
Date of publication of most recent annual report	May, 1997	June, 1997	June, 1997
Date of publication of most recent annual accounts	May, 1997	June, 1997	June, 1997
By whom are annual accounts scrutinised?	Comptroller and Auditor General	Comptroller and Auditor General	Comptroller and Auditor General
Is there a register of members interests for Board members?	Yes	No	No
Do the public have a right to see the register of members interests?	No	N/A	N/A
Are members of the public entitled to attend board meetings?	No	No	No
Are board papers or minutes available for public inspection where matters of commercial or legal confidentiality are not involved?	No	No	No
Are there procedures specifying circumstances in which the Minister may direct the body?	No	No	No
Are the bodies free to publish advice relevant to the public without recourse to the Minister?	Yes	Yes	Yes