Mary Harney
Ceist:1 Miss Harney asked the Taoiseach if he has instigated any investigations of leaks from the Government; and the up-to-date information regarding these inquiries. [6004/95]
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Information Leaks.
Leaking of confidential information containing proposals not yet considered by Cabinet is undesirable because it pre-empts the constitutional function of the Cabinet and interferes with the free exchange of views in advance of decision-taking. This exchange is essential to the working of an effective system of public administration. The leaking of confidential information can be especially unfair and contrary to the public interest if the information is commercially advantageous or sensitive. It also involves, in most cases, a breach of the law.
The Government secretariat, at my request, initiated separate investigations into a number of recent incidents of premature disclosure of matters which were under consideration by the Government.
The investigations to date have not revealed any further sources of leaks other than the matter already referred to in my reply to a question here on 14 February 1995.
While I am generally satisfied with the arrangements for the handling and circulation of Government papers, procedures in this regard are being kept under continuous review. The Minister for Finance is, at my request, initiating Civil Service wide procedures, whereby departmental secretaries will be charged with responsibility to initiate, as a matter of course, investigations into any leaks that occur in their area.
I am surprised the Taoiseach thinks it is merely undesirable as I would have thought it very wrong for sensitive information to be leaked in advance of Cabinet discussions. Does he accept that leaks from this Cabinet, not yet four months in office, are unprecedented? How many investigations are under way?
I do not accept that.
How many different investigations are under way?
Four investigations were initiated by me and probably a number of others have been initiated under the procedure I outlined in individual Departments. It is very undesirable and wrong, if the Deputy wishes me to use that term, for information to be disclosed in this way because it prejudices the freedom of decision making of the Cabinet, which is the body charged under law with the responsibility for making executive decisions in our political system.
Does the Taoiseach accept that the number of leaks from this Cabinet is unprecedented? Why is he playing down the matter?
I am not accepting that assertion. This is the second time I have given that answer to the Deputy and if she is allowed to ask me the question a third or fourth time I will give her the same answer.
If the Taoiseach does not accept that it is unprecedented, can he tell me what other Cabinet had four investigations within four months of taking office?
I will have to investigate the proceedings of the Fianna Fáil-Progressive Democrats coalition.
A facetious remark.
On 3 February 1994 when the Taoiseach was on this side of the House he suggested that it would be useful to extend the Official Secrets Act to Ministers as they were not covered under the present law. Has the Taoiseach made progress in implementing that, now that he is in a position to do so?
I have not made any progress on it.
Has the Taoiseach forgotten about it?