JOINT COMMITTEE ON FINANCE AND THE PUBLIC SERVICE díospóireacht -
Thursday, 13 Mar 2003

Business of Joint Committee.

Chairman

I extend the sincere condolences of the joint committee to Deputy McGuinness whose father died last week. I also extend its condolences to the Vice-Chairman, Deputy Finneran, whose mother died last week.

Before we commence the meeting we should have a brief discussion on the format. We have invited the high level review group to come before the committee. Its members will make a short presentation which will be followed by questions and answers. We should move on to the Information Commissioner at 12 midday and it might be possible to conclude before lunch. If not, we will take a break from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. After lunch we will meet members of the NUJ, National Newspapers of Ireland, the Irish Council for Civil Liberties and Dr. Maeve McDonagh, in that order. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Deputy R. Bruton

That is sensible. It would be useful when asking questions of the high level group to group topics together in order that we would not be moving from one subject to an entirely different one. We should follow a group of topics based on the contents page and deal sequentially with the different themes.

Deputy Burton

I agree. Opposition Deputies on the committee have broadly agreed, as far as possible, to keep their questions and contributions short in the initial stages in order to allow our distinguished visitors the maximum amount of time to speak. We should concentrate on a series of broad themes such as the terms of reference of the high level group, its methodology and whom it consulted about its methodology and the consultation process. If possible, it would be useful to get a response from its members in relation to the discussion in the report on collective responsibility to Parliament.

Chairman

I ask members to keep their questions and contributions brief in order that we can obtain the maximum amount of information. At the end of today's meeting we might decide to reconvene next week with a view to producing a report, if that is possible. That would depend on whether there was a level of consensus on some issues; there might be none on others. It would be beneficial from the committee's point of view, with regard to issues on which it could achieve cross-party consensus, to produce a draft report which it could consider next week. We could have it finalised before the legislation is dealt with in the Dáil in two weeks.

Deputy Burton

If in the course of today's discussions we identify any other party who could contribute significantly to the work of the committee, we might make time to hear them when we meet next week. That might also apply to some of the parties the committee is meeting today should they, due to pressure of time, be unable to make an adequate presentation.

Chairman

I agree. If there are such people, I ask them to make a written presentation to the committee as soon as possible in order that it can be circulated to members in advance of next week's meeting.

Deputy R. Bruton

I have received communications from representatives of the community and voluntary sector asking to be heard. Obviously, it is too late to include them today. I do not know if the Chairman also received such a request.

Chairman

No.

Deputy R. Bruton

The group has signalled its desire to be heard on this issue, if it is possible to schedule it.

Chairman

We are agreed on our approach. Apologies have been received from DeputiesÓ Caoláin, Paul McGrath and McGuinness for their inability to attend today's meeting. We will proceed to the presentation on the high level review group's support to the Government on the Freedom of Information Act 1997.