Shane Ross (Independent)

Yesterday I raised the issue of CIE on the Order of Business and I am grateful for the support I received from several Members of the House. However, I do not think much will happen, unless we act on the matter. I ask the Leader to consider introducing a Bill to make semi-State bodies subject to the Freedom of Information Act.

It is very important that we realise semi-State bodies are not answering questions asked of them by Members of the Oireachtas. With a view to introducing legislation, I asked my office to ask semi-State bodies and agencies a very simple question, namely, the amount they were spending on external public relations. The answer from CIE was the same as the one it always gives: "Mind your own business, it has nothing to do with you." However, it was not the only semi-State body to give that answer. I do not know why it needs to spend anything on external public relations because it has internal public relations spinners by the dozen. However, it is unacceptable that such questions asked by Members of the Oireachtas are not answered. State money is at stake and a huge amount is being wasted on public relations spinners who are spinning stories of doubtful truth about the success of the organisations in question. I would like the Leader to consider this issue, reply and invite to the House the appropriate Minister in order that we would be able to compel semi-State bodies to be subject to the Freedom of Information Act. They can plead information is commercially sensitive, as can State agencies and others, and other exits that I accept are necessary, but it is unacceptable that such organisations are allowed to refuse to answer questions asked by Members of the Oireachtas about the expenditure of public money. There is an awful lot going on within CIE and other organisations, about which we do not know anything. Many organisations have a huge amount to hide. I do not want to be an accessory to this; neither does the Government which appoints the members of the boards of the bodies which are ducking the questions posed by Members of the Oireachtas.