Vol. 531 No. 1
81 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Finance the reason for the delay in extending the scope of the Freedom of Information Act, 1997, to a number of State bodies, including Enterprise Ireland and the Health and Safety Authority; when he will extend the remit of the Act to these bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5013/01]
In December 1999 the Government decided that the Freedom of Information Act, 1997, would be extended to a range of bodies in the enterprise sector with effect from 21 January 2001. Regulations to give effect to this decision are at an advanced stage of preparation and will be laid in draft form before the Houses of the Oireachtas this week. Before the regulations can come into effect, motions approving of them in draft must be passed by both Houses. The process, which usually involves a referral to a joint committee of the Houses of the Oireachtas, is expected to take two to three weeks.
Owing to the Christmas recess and to discussions on technical issues with the various bodies concerned and with the Office of the Parliamentary Draftsman, it was not possible to have the necessary motions approved in the Dáil and Seanad this year in advance of 21 January 2001. However, the regulations shall have effect from that date.
