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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 12 Nov 1997

Vol. 482 No. 6

Written Answers. - Non-Commercial Agencies.

Richard Bruton

Question:

324 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government 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. [18944/97]

Non-Commercial Agency

Most recent publication of Annual Report and Accounts

Accounts Audited by

Register of members' interests available to public

Public attendance at meetings

Board Papers/Minutes available for public inspection

Procedure whereby Minister may direct body

Publish advice without recourse to Minister

An Bord Pleanála

October 1996. 1996 Report and Accounts to be published shortly

Comptroller and Auditor General

Yes

No, except oral hearings

Documents relating to planning appeals and other matters determined by the Board, including the Inspector's report, are available for inspection on the third working day following the Board's decision

Yes. Section 4 of the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act 1976, Section 7 of the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, 1982, Section 2 of the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, 1992. However, section 23 of the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, 1983 provides that the Minister's powers cannot be construed as enabling him to exercise any power or control in relation to any particular case with which the Board is or may be concerned.

Yes

An Chomhairle Leabharlanna

September 1997

Local Government Auditor

No Register

No

No

No

No

Building Regulations Advisory Body

BRAB is funded from Subhead F13.4 of the Department's Vote. The Building Control Act 1990 does not require publication of accounts or annual report

C & AG

No Register

No

No

No

No

Dublin Transportation Office

First Accounts for period 9/11/95-31/12/96 are due to be published shortly

C & AG

No provision for Register of interests

Steering Committee — No. Consultative Panel — Yes. Local Authority Committee — Yes

No

Yes (Art. 10(2) of DTO (Establishment) Order, 1995

Yes

Environmental Protection Agency

October 1997

C & AG

Yes. Section 37(7) & (8) of 1992 EPA Act.

No

No, but certain decisions are available, e.g. proposed determinations by the Board of individual integrated pollution control licence applications, the availability of which is published by the Agency in the national newspapers

Section 79 of EPA Act 1992

Yes

Fire Services Council

September 1997

C & AG

No Register

No

No

Under the Fire Services Act, 1981 the Minister specifies the services which the Council performs

N/A as Council provides advice to Fire Authorities and the Minister

Local Government Computer Services Board

May, 1997

Local Government Auditor

No

No

No

The Minister may direct:(i) the date by which the Board's Annual Report is to be made/submitted.(ii) the procedure to be followed in appointing any officer,(iii) the Board in determining the remuneration and conditions of service of each employee of the Board

No

Local Government Management Services Board

Not yet arisen as body only established wef 1/1/97

Local Government Auditor

No Register

No

No

The Minister may direct:(i) the date by which the Board's Annual Report is to be made/submitted,(ii) the procedure to be followed in appointing any officer or employing any employee,(iii) the Board in determining the remuneration and conditions of service of each officer and employee

Yes

Medical Bureau of Road Safety

August 1997

C & AG

No Register

No

No

No

No

National Roads Authority

June 1996. 1996 Annual Report and Accounts to be published shortly

C & AG

Yes — Section 40 of Roads Act, 1993

No

No

Yes (Sn. 41 of Roads Act 1993)

Yes

National Safety Council

October 1997

C &AG

No Register

No

No

A general power in Article 5(1) of its Establishment Order to give “such general directives in relation to all or any of the services which the Council may provide as he considers appropriate”.

Yes

Rent Tribunal

October 1997

C & AG

No Register

No

No

No

No

Temple Bar Renewal Ltd

July 1996. 1996 Report and Accounts to be published shortly

C & AG

No

No

No

No

Yes

In so far as Parliamentary scrutiny is concerned, the annual report and accounts of each body, with the exception of the Buildings Regulations Advisory Body, are laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas.
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