Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It is No. 1249 B. It just arrived yesterday. Mr. Watt has noted the transcript from last week's meeting and that Deputies are concerned to ensure that when Accounting Officers are before the committee that they should have information likely to be sought by the committee available to them to facilitate responses on the day. In light of this, and the number of items on the agenda for 10 May, he would welcome an indication from the committee of particular issues that they would like to discuss on the day. This will help ensure Mr. Watt has as much of the required information as possible to facilitate effective discussion at the meeting.

Mr. Watt is stating that while he will, of course, provide the normal briefing information in advance, he is adopting the logical position that if members wish to have information on a specific issue provided before a scheduled discussion, they should indicate what these issues are in advance. I propose that members notify the secretariat in advance of meetings if they want specific information and the secretariat will write to the relevant Accounting Officer to have information included in the briefing pack that might otherwise not be provided. The briefing pack can then be circulated to members.