Ruairí Quinn
Question:8 Mr. Quinn asked the Taoiseach the number of interdepartmental groups on which his Department is represented. [11043/98]
Ceisteanna — Questions. - Interdepartmental Committees.
My Department is represented on a significant number of interdepartmental groups — 69 in all — because of my role as Head of Government and my Department's role in the co-ordination of Government policy, in particular in relation to Northern Ireland, European affairs, social partnership and the strategic management initiative. In many cases, my Department's role is one of monitoring the progress of the groups rather than full, active participation.
Will the Taoiseach provide a list of those groups?
I will send them to the Deputy.
John Bruton
Question:9 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Taoiseach the estimated cost to his Department of preparing the report of the interdepartmental committee on the protection of classified information. [11335/98]
John Bruton
Question:10 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Taoiseach whether the interdepartmental committee of officials, at principal officer and assistant principal officer level, with the mandate to develop work practices and procedures for the protection of classified information to be chaired by his Department has yet been established. [11336/98]
John Bruton
Question:11 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Taoiseach whether the review in his Department of the necessity for material to be classified as top secret has been undertaken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11337/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 9, 10 and 11 together.
There were no additional costs, above routine administrative costs to my Department, in preparing the report of the interdepartmental committee on the protection of classified information. The interdepartmental committee with a mandate to develop detailed work practices and procedures for the protection of classified information is in the process of being established. A principal officer in my Department has been nominated to chair the committee and the Departments of Finance, Foreign Affairs, Justice, Equality and Law Reform and Defence are being asked to nominate representatives. This committee will draw up a model of best practice for the handling, circulation and storage of highly sensitive or top secret material.
The protection of sensitive information is a matter of the highest priority within my Department. The new classification of "top secret" was recommended by the interdepartmental committee on the protection of classified official information. I understand that the Minister for Finance will issue a circular to Departments in the near future outlining the material to which, and the procedures under which, it should be applied.
Has the Government reached a decision on whether it will accept the recommendation of the committee for a thorough overhaul of the Official Secrets Act?
The Government has not yet finalised its position on that. There will have to be amendments to and reconsideration of that Act. The Act is substantially out of date because of changes in technology and administration since it was first enacted. The Government will shortly consider overhaul of the Act.
I am sure the Taoiseach will recall the extensive and justifiable outrage expressed about the release to the media of confidential conversations with the then Professor Mary McAleese. Will the Taoiseach agree there should be a clear guideline on release to the public of correspondence between Heads of Government? Is he aware correspondence between Deputy Albert Reynolds as Taoiseach and Mr. John Major as Prime Minister appeared in extenso in a book published recently? Will the Taoiseach inquire how the correspondence between Deputy Reynolds and Mr. Major came into the hands of the authors of the book, O'Malley and McKittrick?
That is a separate matter and the Deputy should put down a specific question on it.
Is the Taoiseach aware that one of the recommendations of the review group is that information should be classified as top secret if it puts at risk the international relations of the State? Will the Taoiseach agree confidential correspondence, including replies in this case, between the Taoiseach of the day, whoever he or she is, and the Prime Minister of another country should not be put into the public domain? Bearing in mind that a serious investigation was launched during the presidential election into other leaks, will the Taoiseach ensure a similar attitude is adopted in this matter?
I am not aware of the letters referred to, but I thank Deputy Bruton for drawing the matter to my attention and I will have it checked out.
I can send the Taoiseach the book.
I agree with the Deputy that information between Heads of State and other data of that nature is classified as secret under the guidelines of the new report.
Will the Taoiseach agree there should not be double standards in regard to this matter, depending on who is allegedly involved or who is inferred as being involved, are that there should be uniform respect for the confidentiality of information of this kind? If investigations are launched in one case, they should be launched in all cases.
There should be uniform rules.
If correspondence is classified as secret, it should be secret and should not be used for any purpose other than that intended. If it is confidential information it should remain so.