asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce what reports were commissioned by his Department and semi-State bodies under the control of his Department in each of the past ten years; what reports were published; the total cost of these reports and in what cases the findings were implemented.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Departmental and Semi-State Body Reports.
106.
As my reply contains a considerable amount of detail, I propose, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to circulate a statement with the Official Report giving the information requested.
Following is the statement:—
As regards reports commissioned by my Department, I would refer the Deputy to the reply, given by me to a question on 5th August, 1971, at columns 3515 to 3520 of the Official Report, which contained particulars, including costs, of such reports in the ten-year period up to 1970-71.
Of the 74 reports listed in that reply, 59 were published in the normal way. The four reports dealing with depyramiding of protection were given limited publication in that they were made available to interested parties in industry. The following six reports were not published:
Flax and hemp as industrial crops;
Political risks insurance;
Survey of Castlecomer Collieries;
Export merchanting;
Export survey;
Export credit insurance.
The COIP report on the footwear industry will be published shortly. Four reports commissioned are not yet available for publication. These are:
Costs of shipping to the continent;
Western Ireland transport costs;
COIP report on the woollen and worsted industry;
Inquiry into the insurance industry.
In view of the complexity of many of the reports and their recommendations, it would not be practicable to indicate the extent to which the findings of the reports have been implemented without a very long and detailed statement. Generally, however, it may be said that action as deemed to be appropriate in the light of the report has been or will be taken in all cases.
As regards the semi-State bodies under the aegis of my Department, I have, in general, no function concerning the commissioning of reports by these bodies.