Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 9 Oct 2002

Vol. 554 No. 5

Written Answers. - Freedom of Information.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

868 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the bodies in or under the aegis of his Department, which have not to date been made subject to the Freedom of Information Act, 1997; if consideration has been given to making each of these bodies subject to the Act; if so, the present state of such consideration; if each of the bodies in question has been consulted in the matter; if so, the present state of such consultations; if each of the bodies will be proposed to be made subject to the Act; if so, when; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16126/02]

Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism (Mr. O'Donoghue):

The bodies under the aegis of my Department which have not to date been made subject to the Freedom of Information Act are Bord Fáilte, CERT, Horse Racing Ireland, Bord na gCon, Tourism Ireland Limited and the Music Board of Ireland. Of these, Bord Fáilte, CERT, Horse Racing Ireland and Bord na gCon are due to be made subject to FOI with effect from 1 November 2002. Tourism Ireland Limited, as a cross-Border body, is not deemed to be a public body for the purposes of FOI and it is not intended, therefore, that it be brought within the scope of FOI. FOI has been extended to additional bodies on a phased basis since it commenced in April 1998. The Government has decided that this process should continue so that all bodies appropriate for inclusion are covered by end 2005. The extension of FOI to the Music Board of Ireland will be considered in this context.