Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 12 Nov 1997

Vol. 482 No. 6

Written Answers. - Non-Commercial Agencies.

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

380 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform 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. [18947/97]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue)

There are a substantial number of bodies which operate under the aegis of my Department, who could be regarded as coming within the terms of the Deputy's question. These include, for example:

Advisory Committees to the Minister on the application for release from the Central Mental Hospital by persons found guilty but insane (two separate committees);

Censorship of Films Appeal Board;

Censorship of Publications Board;

Censorship of Publications Appeal Board;

Committee for Court Practice and Procedure;

Commissioners for Charitable Donations and Bequests;

Courts Rules Committee (three committees);

Criminal Assets Bureau;

Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal;

Data Protection Commissioner;

Employment Equality Agency;

Film Censor;

Garda Síochána Complaints Board;

Garda Síochána Complaints Appeal Board;

Irish Legal Terms Advisory Committee;

Judicial Appointments Advisory Board;

Land Registry and Registry of Deeds;

Legal Aid Board;

the 14 Prison Visiting Committees;

Registration of Title Rules Committee; and

Sentence Review Group.

In the case of all of the bodies, where funds voted by the Dáil are concerned, accounts are subject to scrutiny by the Comptroller and Auditor General and, in the case of the Commissioners for Charitable Donations and Bequests, two accounts are subject to other audits - the charity accounts by the local government audit service and the common investment fund by independent auditors. In the case of a number of bodies listed above, e.g. Prison Visiting Committees, no separate accounts are maintained - any costs incurred are charged to the appropriate Vote.

I do not believe that the bodies which operate under the aegis of my Department are comprehended by the Deputy's question, but if the Deputy wants further information I will be happy to supply it.