Pádraic McCormack (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Question 46: To ask the Minister for Transport the number of organisations under his remit to which the Freedom of Information Act has been extended; when the Railway Safety Commission will come under freedom of information legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17977/10]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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At the outset, let me say that I am fully supportive of the principles of the Freedom of Information Acts, and where practicable, would encourage the broadest possible application of its provisions.

The following are the bodies that come under the remit of my Department to which the Freedom of Information Acts have been extended: Commission for Aviation Regulation Medical Bureau of Road Safety National Transport Authority Railway Procurement Agency Commission for Taxi Regulation The National Roads Authority

Marine Casualty Investigation Board My Department has put in train the procedures to enable the Railway Safety Commission, in so far as its administrative functions are concerned, be brought under the FOI legislation.

It is a matter for the Department of Finance as to the timing when the Railway Safety Commission will be brought under the FOI Acts but my Department has submitted that they be brought under FOI at the next available opportunity.

My Department is also progressing extending the provisions of the FOI Acts to the Road Safety Authority, the Advisory Council to the Commission for Taxi Regulation and the Railway Safety Advisory Council. My objective is to bring these bodies under FOI legislation as quickly as possible.