asked the Taoiseach if if he will review the provisions which govern the examination of the policies of semi-State bodies with a view to providing Deputies with advance and more detailed information on major policy changes.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Policies of Semi-State Bodies.
1.
The whole question of the control of the policies of semi-State bodies and their relationships with the Legislature is being kept under review by the Government. These bodies vary greatly in their functions and in the nature of their activities. If they are to function effectively they must be given adequate freedom to pursue policies aimed at the achievement of the objectives for which they were established. Any changes in their operations that involve amending legislation are, of course, subject to the approval of the House. There is, nevertheless, a limit, particularly in the case of trading organisations, to the extent to which it would be practicable to provide advance information on policy changes as suggested by the Deputy.
May we take it from the Taoiseach's reply that nothing will be done in the foreseeable future in this respect? The Taoiseach said the policies are being kept constantly under review——
Yes.
——but he does not intend to introduce any legislation.
No, but the Deputy will be aware there is a committee examining the structure of the Civil Service, and, as the Minister for Finance announced here in reply to a motion touching on this subject, he expected that this committee would have regard to the structure of semi-State bodies as well.
Would the Taoiseach not agree that this is the type of thing that Deputy Lemass contemplated when he set up the infamous committee on the Constitution?
No.
Will he say what advance information he had in regard to the now postponed close down of the B & I freight service at Cork Harbour?
That is a separate Question.
It is not.
Does the Taoiseach not agree that there is a need for something to be done in connection with this matter, having regard to the fact that it is very often found that major decisions are made and the first information a Deputy receives is through reading it in the public press, and if he wants to have something done about it he is referred to the Estimate which comes up only once a year?
As these matters and decisions on them vary as between one company and another, it would not be possible to lay down hard and fast rules, covering all these companies. There are certain activities of these organisations, particularly the trading organisations, which should not be open to predisclosure.
We are talking about major policy decisions. Is it not a fact that the Government provides finance for nearly all of these semi-State companies?
We have means of catching up with major policy decisions.
Too late.
The public expect Deputies to know all about these matters. Under the present set-up it is not possible for Deputies to have such information.
I would be anxious to give full information on these matters as long as that would be consistent with the functioning of these bodies.
There has been a public outcry about the B & I.