Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 21 Apr 1999

Vol. 503 No. 4

Written Answers. - Interdepartmental Committees.

John Bruton

Question:

34 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Taoiseach the number of occasions in 1999 the interdepartmental committee of officials chaired by his Department with the mandate to develop work practices and procedures for the protection of classified information has met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10217/99]

The Taoiseach:

The interdepartmental committee established to develop work practices and procedures for the protection of classified information has met on one occasion this year.

At that meeting the committee considered a preliminary draft report which included an inventory of current practices in Departments and offices for the handling, circulation and storage of sensitive official information. It was decided to identify best practices in dealing with the "Top Secret" category on the basis of material from Departments. Information was also sought from the private sector to determine the appropriateness of departmental practices. In the interim, substantial progress has been made at departmental level. The committee is due to meet shortly to finalise its draft report.