Departmental Correspondence.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 29 April 2004

Thursday, 29 April 2004

Questions (78, 79)

Jan O'Sullivan

Question:

78 Ms O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Defence if he was asked by the Fianna Fáil Party to supply briefing material for local election candidates; if so his response to same; if material was provided; the form in which it was presented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12379/04]

Written answers

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith)

I have not received any specific request from the Fianna Fáil Party to supply briefing material for local elections candidates nor have I provided specific briefing material to any party for local election candidates. In response to requests and queries, my Department provides material to members of the public, including public representatives of all parties and Independents, on an ongoing basis across the range of policy areas for which my Department has responsibility.

Jan O'Sullivan

Question:

79 Ms O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he was asked by the Fianna Fáil Party to supply briefing material for local election candidates; if so his response to same; if material was provided; the form in which it was presented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12380/04]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

I have not received any specific request from Fianna Fáil to supply briefing material for local elections candidates nor have I provided specific briefing material to any party for local election candidates. In response to requests and queries, my Department provides material to members of the public, including public representatives of all parties and Independents, on an ongoing basis across the range of policy areas for which it has responsibility. My Department receives regular requests from all political parties for information relating to its activities. It assists parties' press and research offices in the preparation of speeches and other material for Members. Dealing with these requests generally involves the provision of raw material which is already a matter of public record whether through answers to parliamentary questions, press releases, speeches and existing briefing material.