asked the Taoiseach the number of Government policy studies he has initiated in the past three years; and the number of these which have been (a) completed and (b) published.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Government Policy Studies.
1.
The study and reappraisal of Government policy is a continuous process and it is not the normal practice to publish the results in a formal manner. The outcome of such studies usually finds expression in Ministerial statements and speeches and in practical implementation.
Would the Taoiseach not agree that there is a necessity for such policy studies? Is the Fourth Programme not the result of policy studies? Would he not, prior to the publication of that, have such documents published?
Surely the document to which the Deputy refers is a document in itself and it is not necessary to have a prior document published about the same thing.
There is no document prepared before the final document? That is what I was thinking of.
Yes. Draft documents, and they are discussed between Ministers, between civil servants and at Government meetings. It is the final document that counts and that is the one that is published.
The drafts are not available for public discussion?
Certainly not.
2.
asked the Taoiseach if any speeches which have been made by him outside the House and which reflect Government policy are placed in the Dáil Library for official use; and, if not, why.
It is not my practice to direct that copies of prepared scripts of my speeches should be presented to the Library but if any Deputy wishes to have the script of a particular speech made available in the Library, I shall be glad to comply with his or her wishes.
Would the Taoiseach not agree that his speeches reflect Government policy and as such should be made available to the Dáil Library?
Not all of my speeches reflect Government policy.
That is interesting. Should they not?
I mention matters that are not concerned with Government policy in my speeches.