12 DFómh 2012, 16:51
In the interest of ensuring that the Office of Ceann Comhairle does not become involved in controversy of a party political nature, the Ceann Comhairle wishes to put the facts of this matter, insofar as it relates to his office, on the record.
On 3 October, Deputy O Caoláin formally requested the Ceann Comhairle to adjudicate, under SO 40A on whether the Minister for Health had failed to provide information requested in PQ 190 of 27 September. The information at issue detailed in the Deputy’s correspondence was “both lists of priority care centres; that drafted by the HSE and the final list of 35 centres, in full and in rank order”.
Standing Order 40A does not require Ministers to provide information so requested; it does, however require that each and every request for information be addressed in the Minister’s reply.
The Ceann Comhairle examined the Minister’s reply and found that it had failed to address the request for information in relation to the final list of 35 centres only. In relation to the earlier list, the reply had indicated that “it is not proposed to publish the list at this time”.
The Ceann Comhairle communicated his decision to the Minister and the Deputy on 10 October. The Minister replied to the Ceann Comhairle by letter of same date and the additional information provided was forwarded by the Ceann Comhairle to Deputy Ó Caoláin on the following day.
The correspondence received by the Ceann Comhairle from the Minister, and forwarded to Deputy Ó Caoláin, is the official response to the 40A application.
The Ceann Comhairle is satisfied that the Minister has discharged his obligations under Standing Order 40A.