Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 6 Feb 1990

Vol. 395 No. 3

Written Answers. - Teaching Institution Consultations.

John Bruton

Ceist:

186 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Education if she has established any set and publicised procedures for consultation by representatives of her Department who sit on international organisations, such as the Council of Europe, to consult in advance of meeting with well-established bodies in Ireland who have an interest in the proceedings of the committees in question; and if her attention has been drawn to the dissatisfaction expressed by one major teaching institution (details supplied) concerning the lack of consultation in this regard.

Minister for Education (Mrs. O'Rourke)

My attention has not been drawn to any dissatisfaction concerning lack of consultation with interested parties by officers of my Department involved in servicing international organisations.

The range of activities covered by these organisations is extremely wide and in many cases documentation is only received a short time before meetings.

Given these general constraints I am satisfied that the level of consultation which takes place is reasonable and is similar to that which has taken place over a long period.

I am however, making arrangements to have all the officers concerned reappraised of the necessity to consult with interested parties outside the Department so far as this is practicable.