Dick Spring
Ceist:2 Mr. Spring asked the Taoiseach the progress, if any, made to date in revising and updating Government procedure instructions; and whether the revised document will be published. [18220/97]
Ceisteanna—Questions. - Government Procedure Instructions.
The fourth edition of the Government procedure instructions was introduced in 1983. There has been a significant number of amendments agreed by successive Governments in the interim. A draft of the fifth edition is at an advanced stage of preparation, but was held in abeyance pending the outcome of the referendum on Cabinet confidentiality. I expect the text will be finalised as soon as possible and published.
I welcome the update from the Taoiseach and assume the indications of the recent referendum will be taken into account before the document is published. When can we expect it to be published?
Ten amendments have been clarified and two are outstanding. One relates to Cabinet confidentiality, the post referendum position, and the other relates to the Official Secrets Act which was examined in relation to the security and retention of documents. Both of those changes will be made as soon as they are finalised. I am sure we can publish it fairly soon.