asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Tourism if he will outline his policy in relation to the publication of all reports commissioned by his Department or other agencies funded in whole or in part by his Department; if he will introduce changes to the present arrangements to ensure that all such reports are published in future; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions . Oral Answers . - Publication of Reports .
22.
: I take it from the terms of the Deputy's inquiry that he is not concerned with reports prepared as part of their normal function by my Department or continuing bodies under my aegis, such as the Restrictive Practices Commission and the National Prices Commission, but rather with the commissioning of consultants or other outside firms to report on specific matters.
The question of publication of reports is decided on in the circumstances of each case bearing in mind the report's purpose, the degree of confidentially and the level of public interest involved.
While I have, in general, no function concerning the commissioning of reports by State-sponsored bodies under my aegis, the same factors would be taken into consideration in deciding on the question of publication of any such reports.
I am satisfied that it would not be realistic to enunciate a general rule in the terms envisaged by the question.