Written Answers. - Departmental Changes.
Ruairí Quinn
Ceist:
31
Mr. Quinn
asked the
Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications
if she will outline the procedural and operational changes she proposes to introduce into the operation of her Department so as to give effect to the Taoiseach's statement of his commitment to open Government; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
My Department have recently appointed a civil servant on a full-time basis as press officer. This official is available to deal with all media inquiries relating to the activities of my Department.
It is the normal practice of my Department to deal with all queries relating to their activities in an open manner. For my own part I intend to be as open and forthcoming as possible in my dealings with the Oireachtas and with the many interest groups which operate in the areas for which my Department have responsibilities. The first example of this increased openness is in relation to the Shannon stop-over. From the day I assumed the Tourism, Transport and Communications portfolio, I indicated that I wanted to take a totally open approach to this issue. Those with an interest, vested or otherwise, in the Shannon stop-over, got a clear message from me — a message of openness.
In the seven weeks since I made that intention clear, I have listened to presentations and deputations — as of today over 14 presentations and deputations. Many, if not most of those deputations left me documentation to read, and I have been reading all that documentation with great attention.
At the end of this process of listening and learning and questioning and reading, I will make a decision but I am happy to promise the Deputy that it will be a well-informed decision resulting from the new openness of this Government.
This openness is multifaceted. For example, eight State-sponsored bodies report to my Department, and I have made a point of having substantive briefing sessions with the chairpeople and chief executives of as many of those State-sponsored bodies as possible.
Like my colleagues, I have been as available as possible to the media. Obviously, a balance must be struck between the work of my Department and the media presentation of that work, but I think I have shown a total willingness to be held accountable and to answer questions about my portfolio.
