Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 12 Nov 1997

Vol. 482 No. 6

Written Answers. - Non-Commercial Agencies.

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

216 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when annual reports were most recently published for each non-commercial agency under the aegis of his Department; when annual accounts were most recently published by these bodies; whether they are subject to outside scrutiny by the Comptroller and Auditor General or another independent audit body; whether the public have a right to see a register of members' interests in relation to these bodies; whether they allow members of the public attend their meetings; whether board papers or minutes are available for public inspection where matters of commercial or legal confidentiality are not involved; whether there is a procedure specifying the circumstances in which he may direct these bodies; and whether they are free to publish advice relevant to the public without recourse to him. [18941/97]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

The following tabular statement sets out the position in respect of the four non-commercial State bodies under the aegis of my Department.

Issue	Teagasc	An Bord Glas	An Bord Bia	National Milk Agency
Date annual report and accounts presented to Houses of the Oireachtas [Note 1]	10 January 1997 in respect of 1995	17 October 1997 in respect of 1996	10 September 1997 in respect of 1996	16 September 1997 in respect of 1996
Whether accounts subject to outside scrutiny	Yes. C.&A.G.	Yes. C.&A.G.	Yes. C.&A.G.	See Note 2
Public right to see register of members interests	See Note 3	See Note 3	See Note 3	See Note 3
Can public attend meetings	See Note 5	See Note 5	See Note 5	No
Whether board papers open for public inspection	No	No	No	No
Procedure for Minister directing bodies	Section 19 of the Agriculture (Research, Training and Advice) Act, 1988	Section 26 of the Bord Glas Act, 1990	Section 29 of An Bord Bia Act, 1994	See Note 4
Whether bodies free to publish advice	Yes-in compliance with Act.	Yes-in compliance with Act.	Yes-in compliance with Act.	Not Relevant to function of agency

Notes

1. Annual reports and accounts are published after presentation to both Houses of the Oireachtas.

2. The Agency's finances are subject to audit by auditors appointed by the agency but their appointment is subject to approval by the Minister.

3. The bodies concerned are subject to the provisions of the Ethics in Public Office Act, 1995.

4. Certain actions of the agency, such as the fixing of a levy, are subject to the approval of the Minister. The Minister may require the agency to provide sundry information and reports but their core activity is not subject to ministerial direction.

5. Teagasc, An Bord Glas and An Bord Bia from time to time organise public seminars, conferences etc.