John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Question 37: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if his Department intends to recoup the costs associated with the production of information briefing packs prepared for candidates of a political party from that same party; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14274/04]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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The matter referred to by the Deputy is subject to inquiries by the Standards in Public Office Commission. When the commission has completed its inquiries, any actions suggested or recommendations made will be complied with fully.

Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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That is a very handy answer. I have four brief questions which I will not accept cannot be answered. How much did the production of the information cost? Will the cost be recouped from the political party in question, which is the Minister's own? Did the Minister personally authorise the action and use of departmental funds in this manner? Did anyone in his Department advise the Minister that he should not take this action?

Rather than repeat what he has already stated, can the Minister advise the House of the information he gave to the commission?

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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I have a difficulty. In its wisdom, the House decided that incidents like this should be referred to the Standards in Public Office Commission. In the good old days the Minister would be answerable to the House when the Opposition put down questions. However, all Members are entitled to defend themselves under the double jeopardy clause.

Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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The fifth amendment.

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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I am entitled to wait until the Standards in Public Office Commission makes its findings. I do not wish to be disrespectful to the House but I have provided all the information to the commission at its request. When it is finished making its inquiries, I will provide its findings to the House. I have given as much information as I can at this point. I do not intend to give further information until I hear from the Standards in Public Office Commission.

Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Does the Minister believe that such information packs are of benefit to candidates, given that one of the recipients, Mr. Des Kelly, was able to give spiel on the doorstep when not getting good responses on the schools crisis? Were any of the other political parties notified about the availability of this information from the Department?

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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I do not know how to answer that question. If Deputies are not aware that the Department of Education and Science makes available to Members whatever information it possibly can——

Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Packaged information.

Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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There is distinct difference.

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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——then where have they been? This type of information, whether packaged or unpackaged, is available on request. Opposition Deputies frequently ask for briefings which departmental officials, using their own time, readily give to them. Should I start charging for that service? A sense of proportion has to be kept in all of this. If any Deputy has not received information from the Department when requested, I will be delighted to provide it for him or her.

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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I know some of my Labour Party colleagues subsequently applied for the information and received it. Although information is available on the departmental website, on this occasion extra material was given out that was not available there. Will the Minister clarify how people are to know what information is available on request?

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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The information was available in various departmental publications, in ministerial speeches and in answers to parliamentary questions. I was asked to collate the information and make it available. If people request information, it will be given to them, so long as it is available.

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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The Minister will be busy for the next month.

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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We must wait to see if the Standards in Public Office Commission decides there is a problem that it went to representatives of the Fianna Fáil Party——

Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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It was specifically marked for representatives of the Fianna Fáil Party.

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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——or that it should not happen for all political parties. We will face an appalling vista if Departments are not in a position to make information available. It must be carefully considered.

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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It is one thing to make information available by way of a website, another through information packs. As the Minister is responsible to the House for the use of public money, will he inform us of the cost of this venture to the Exchequer and his Department?

Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Did the candidates request the information individually or did the Minister take it upon himself to provide it?

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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Those questions would be better left to the Standards in Public Office Commission.

Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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The Minister must have told the representatives the information was available.

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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I will be prepared to answer the questions when they are dealt with by the commission. I constantly get requests from individuals, political parties and the media for information. I regard it as my duty to answer any questions as fully as possible and I hope I can continue to do so. I make no distinction — and neither do any of my civil servants — between various sources of inquiry. I hope such a process will not begin now.