Departmental Documentation.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 5 May 2004

Wednesday, 5 May 2004

Questions (96)

Olwyn Enright

Question:

91 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs 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. [12838/04]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Cowen)

Staff in my Department are not 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. 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. Dealing with these requests generally involves provision of material which is already a matter of public record whether through answers to parliamentary questions, press releases, speeches or existing briefing material.