Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 20 Apr 1999

Vol. 503 No. 3

Written Answers. - Ministerial Diaries.

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

311 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Finance if, further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 12 and 13 of 10 February 1999, he will ensure that complete diary records for Ministers and Ministers of State are maintained and retained in each Government Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5042/99]

Minister for Finance (Mr. McCreevy): As the Taoiseach mentioned in his reply of 10 February, under the Official Secrets Act, 1963, former Ministers may retain certain official documents. It is not intended to interfere with this practice which has been in place over many years.

Following from recommendations of the interdepartmental committee on the protection of classified information, a review of the Official Secrets Act will provide the opportunity for taking a fresh look at the matter. There is a need to clarify how the provisions of that Act and other relevant legislation interact.

In the meantime information technology offers a practical solution. Electronic diaries are now used in most Ministers and Ministers of State offices. These will enable Ministers to take a copy of their diaries when leaving office, while leaving diary details of all their official engagements with their respective departments. To this end, remaining ministers offices which operate a manual system are being encouraged to switch to electronic diaries.