Dominic Hannigan (Meath East, Labour)
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Question 56: To ask the Minister for Finance his plans to bring vocational education committees under the remit of the Freedom of Information Acts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7028/11]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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The Programme for Government provides that the Government will legislate to "restore the Freedom of Information Act to what it was before it was undermined by the outgoing Government", and that it "will extend its remit to other public bodies including the administrative side of the Garda Síochána, subject to security exceptions". It also proposes "to extend Freedom of Information, and the Ombudsman Act, to ensure that all statutory bodies, and all bodies significantly funded from the public purse, are covered".

My Department is carrying out preparatory work to implement the above commitments. When this work is complete I will bring proposals to Government in relation to the Freedom of Information Acts. The proposals will include consideration of the extension of the provisions of the Freedom of Information Acts to Vocational Education Committees.