Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 676: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the public bodies and agencies within his Department exempted from the full remit of the freedom of information legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2734/06]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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The State, semi-State, State-sponsored and statutory bodies under the aegis of my Department that are not subject to the Freedom of Information Acts are, An Post, Broadcasting Complaints Commission, ESB, Eirgrid, Bord Gáis Éireann, Bord na Móna, National Oil Reserves Agency — NORA, National Salmon Commission, Foyle, Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission, Commissioners of Irish Lights, Aquaculture Licences Appeals Board — ALAB and the Mining Board.

The Government decision S180/20/10/0569D of 18 October 2005 approved the extension of the FOI Acts to the Aquaculture Licences Appeals Board, ALAB, and the Mining Board. The Minister for Finance is currently preparing the regulations necessary to provide for the extension of FOI to those bodies. The regulations, which are subject to the approval of both Houses, will include provision for a lead in time of five months. It is expected that the extension should be complete by early summer.