asked the Taoiseach if it is the intention of the Government to introduce proposals for legislation which will render public corporations, financed wholly or in part out of public moneys, amenable to Dáil Éireann.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Public Corporations.
As I informed the Deputy in reply to a previous similar question some time ago, the Government have been considering the question of the best method of bringing under review the activities and financial operations of the various State-sponsored bodies. One of the bodies is which the Deputy expressed a particular interest on the previous occasion to which I have referred was Córas Iompair Éireann, and the Government's legislative proposals in regard to this concern will be placed before the Dáil at an early date. The examination of the question in so far as the remaining State-sponsored bodies are concerned is proceeding.
Is the Taoiseach aware that an unsatisfactory position is created by the inability of the appropriate Minister to accept responsibility for acts or omissions of public companies such as the Electricity Supply Board and the Irish Tourist Board where their operation involves acts or omissions contrary to expressed Government policy?
I am fully aware of that. Of course, the Deputy's supplementary question goes to the root of the whole policy in regard to such bodies, as to whether they should be entirely subject to the Dáil or not. I doubt if it is desirable in the case of the Electricity Supply Board to have that situation, but the matter is being considered.