asked the Minister for Finance if he will state whether he is aware that many official publications are supplied to the Press many days before they are circulated to Deputies, and if he will say what is the reason for this; and if he will arrange that Deputies are supplied at the same time as the Press is.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Circulation of Official Publications.
The instructions issued to all Departments some years ago in connection with the presentation of papers to the Oireachtas expressly stated that papers intended for presentation must be presented before being published. With the lapse of time, this requirement may not always be observed; but I am not aware that frequent infractions occur, accompanied by serious delays in circulation to Deputies. If, however, the Deputy will give me particulars of the cases he has in mind, I shall be able to see whether it is necessary to issue a reminder on the point generally or only to one or two Departments.
Will the Minister ascertain why it was that the second volume of the Census, which was noted in the Press over a week ago, has not yet reached Deputies? I would like to assure the Minister—and other Deputies can assure him also—that very often we read of publications in the Press a long time before we see them.
I have had that experience myself, but I usually get the reports on the day that the newspaper critique appears.