Departmental Documentation.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 5 May 2004

Wednesday, 5 May 2004

Questions (84)

Olwyn Enright

Question:

79 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Defence if staff at his Department are engaged in the preparation or production of documentation, briefing materials, information, booklets, statistics or other information for the use of a specific political party or individual candidates in the local or European Parliament elections; if such documentation, briefing notes, information, booklets, statistics or other information has already been disseminated from the Department. [12835/04]

Written answers

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith)

Staff at my Department are not so engaged nor have they been so engaged. None of the items mentioned by the Deputy has been disseminated from the Department.

It might be noted, however, that my Department receives regular requests from all political parties for information relating to the activities of the Department to assist their press and research offices in the preparation of speeches and other material for members of their parties. Dealing with these requests generally involves provision of raw material which is already a matter of public record whether through answers to parliamentary questions, press releases, speeches or existing briefing material.