I propose to take Questions Nos. 164 and 165 together.
I wish to confirm that the Land Commission is not subject to the FOI Act since its commencement on 21 April last. The commission is one of the bodies in the wider public service which could be brought within the scope of the Act by regulations made by me as Minister for Finance.
However, the Deputy will be aware that the Irish Land Commission (Dissolution) Act, 1992 (No. 25 of 1992) provided for the dissolution of the commission. The commencement order necessary to bring it into effect has, however, not yet been signed by the Minister for Agriculture and Food as the Act was being challenged before the courts.
A judgment on this challenge was delivered by the Supreme Court on 27 March 1998 and the Minister for Agriculture and Food may now proceed with the abolition of the Land Commission by implementing the Dissolution Act.