Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I do not wish to delay the meeting. To draw this matter to a conclusion, when former Deputy Liz McManus raised it in the House, the Minister of State of the day said the Department had arranged for all departmental records recently released under the Freedom of Information Acts to be furnished to the then cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council with the strong recommendation that they be circulated to all members of the council without delay. I presume that happened. The then Minister of State also said the public inquiry requested would be considered. A specific provision in the Local Government Act empowers local authorities to make this request of the Department. From my parliamentary questions, then Deputy Liz McManus's raising of the issue and the correspondence Wicklow County Council sent to the Department, unless things changed and nobody told us, that issue has never been adjudicated on. When I have asked the question on a persistent basis I have been told the Department has not made up its mind. It would be great if it could make up its mind.