Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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142. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the current legislative position regarding communications and privilege for papers, emails and documents sent, received and held by members of the Houses of the Oireachtas prior to the enactment of the Houses of the Oireachtas (Inquiries, Privileges and Procedures) Bill; the change he envisages in this area after the enactment of the legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23483/13]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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The Government, at its meeting on 14 May 2013, approved the publication of the Houses of the Oireachtas (Inquiries, Privileges and Procedures) Bill 2013. The Bill provides for a statutory qualified privilege for private papers of Members and official documents of the Houses. These provisions are intended to apply in all circumstances and are not restricted to inquiries carried out under the Bill. The Bill also provides for a qualified privilege for confidential communication from members of the public to Members of the Oireachtas.

Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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143. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the method that will be used to conduct a banking inquiry as per the proposed Houses of the Oireachtas (Inquiries, Privileges and Procedures) Bill; the way it will be decided which Oireachtas Committee is responsible for such inquiry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23542/13]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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The Government, at its meeting on 14 May 2013, approved the publication of the Houses of the Oireachtas (Inquiries, Privileges and Procedures) Bill 2013. The Bill establishes a comprehensive statutory underpinning for the Oireachtas to conduct inquiries within the current constitutional framework.

The Houses of the Oireachtas (Inquiries, Privileges and Procedures) Bill 2013 envisages a central role for the Oireachtas in both initiating and conducting a parliamentary inquiry. Under the Bill, responsibility is assigned exclusively to the Houses of the Oireachtas to determine the requirement for a formal inquiry, the terms of reference of that inquiry, the appropriate committee to conduct an inquiry and the procedural and organisational aspects of the inquiry.