Vol. 538 No. 4
81 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Finance if, further to Parliamentary Question No. 139 of 10 April 2001, he will consider extending the Freedom of Information Act, 1997 to local drugs tasks forces and area partnerships; the contact his Department has had with the Department of Tourism, Sport and Recreation in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18190/01]
As the Deputy will be aware, it is Government policy to extend FOI to new public bodies on an incremental basis. As part of that process, all Departments have been asked to prioritise the bodies under their responsibility which should be brought within the scope of the FOI Act, having regard to the specific criteria set by my Department. The Department of Tourism, Sport and Recreation has made recommendations on bodies under its area of responsibility which should come within the scope of FOI. However, no final decision has been made. I hope to finalise proposals for Government in the coming weeks.
