Michael Ring
Question:177 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Finance if he will extend the Freedom of Information Act, 1997, to cover semi-State bodies such as Coillte and Údarás na Gaeltachta; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26940/99]
Written Answers. - Freedom of Information Act.
The Deputy will be aware that since the FOI Act commenced for central Government Departments and related public bodies on 21 April 1998, its scope was extended to health boards and local authorities on 21 October 1998, and on 21 October last to voluntary hospitals and certain publicly funded voluntary bodies providing services to people with intellectual disability. The Government in July last decided to extend the scope of the Act further over the next 12 to 24 months to a range of bodies in the areas of health, education, industrial enterprise, environment, social services and broadcasting.
This approach is in keeping with the Government's intention to extend the scope of the Act across the wider public service in an incremental fashion as experience is gained in its application. Any decision to extend its terms to Coillte or any other public service body will be taken in this context.
With particular regard to Údarás na Gaeltachta, I refer the Deputy to the reply to his question of 2 November given by my colleague, the Minister of State at the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands, Deputy Ó Cuív, where the Minister of State indicated that he, in conjunction with me, will be examining the question of the future application of the FOI Act to an tÚdarás.