Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

Questions for the operation of financial institutions are a matter for the Minister for Finance to ensure up to date and accurate information. There are valid and legitimate issues of commercial and financial sensitivities regarding freedom of information and the banking institutions.

The wider policy issues are to be considered on a continuing basis by the Dáil through a series of parliamentary questions and legislation.

With regard to freedom of information requests tabled to my Department, I have indicated that the ambit of the legislation is considerable. There has been a history of expanding it to cover a wider group of public bodies over the years. Issues relating to commercial State bodies are different to those concerning non-commercial State bodies. However, that does not mean that they are not accountable. They are accountable through their boards and to Oireachtas committees and various investigations are ongoing in that respect. With regard to freedom of information requests, the situation is as I have outlined it.

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