Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 17 Nov 1998

Vol. 496 No. 6

Written Answers - Freedom of Information Act.

John Gormley

Question:

256 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Finance the plans, if any, he has to amend the Freedom of Information Act, 1997, to provide for the ratification of the Aarhus Convention which will provide Irish citizens with a right of access to environmental information including biological diversity, genetically modified organisms, the state of human health and safety and the conditions of human life, the state of the environment and the economic analyses and assumptions used in environmental decision making. [23394/98]

Minister for Finance (Mr. McCreevy)

I wish to confirm that I have no plans to amend the Freedom of Information Act, 1997. As I indicated in my reply of 14 October 1998, I understand that the Minister for the Environment and Local Government is currently examining the measures required with a view to ratification of this Convention and compliance by Ireland as soon as possible. (Questions Nos. 63, 81, 93 and 139 of 14 October 1998 refer). Consideration of this matter will form part of the ongoing general discussions between our two Departments on the most appropriate legislative regime for access to environmental information.