Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 86: To ask the Minister for Finance his plans to make the Data Protection Commission subject to the Office of the Ombudsman or the Freedom of Information Act; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16274/11]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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The Programme for Government proposes to extend the Freedom of Information Acts and the remit of the Ombudsman. The Freedom of Information Acts are currently being reviewed in light of the Programme for Government commitment to inform the preparation of appropriate legislative amendments for consideration by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform in the first instance and the Government in due course.

The Ombudsman (Amendment) Bill 2008 completed all stages in the Dáil in June 2010 and is currently awaiting second stage in the Seanad. The Bill has significantly extended the remit of the Ombudsman to a much wider range of public bodies. The inclusion of additional bodies will be reviewed in line with the Government Reform Agenda over the coming months.