Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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15. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to proceed with the proposal to impose a statutory duty on bodies established by or under statute, or with a majority ownership or funding by the State, to submit to the same parliamentary questions regime as applies to Departments, including an obligation to provide answers to written questions within a specified number of Dáil Éireann sitting days; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38161/14]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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This proposal is part of the Government's political reform programme outlined in the Programme for Government.  My Department has, in the context of its examination of this issue, had some initial discussions with the Houses of the Oireachtas on the operational issues in relation to this commitment, and the possible approaches that may be taken to its efficient implementation.

The Deputy will note that the proposed creation of a statutory duty on public bodies does give rise to some significant legislative issues requiring careful consideration, including in relation to the alignment and consistency of such an approach with existing accountability requirements included in the governing legislation for public bodies.

In relation to the Parliamentary Question regime generally, significant progress has already been made to improve the effectiveness of the parliamentary question system.

This is in addition to political reforms such as increasing Dáil sitting time, Friday sittings for Committee reports and Private Members Bills, opening-up of the pre-legislative process, restricting the use of the Guillotine, and enhancing debate of topical issues. 

In addition, the new Freedom of Information Bill 2013 which has completed its passage through the Houses of the Oireachtas extends its remit to all public bodies, as well as to non-public bodies in receipt of significant funding by the Exchequer by way of Ministerial Order.  This will result in a number of long-established high profile exclusions from FOI being brought under the scope of the legislation.

Issues of strengthening accountability and performance, particularly within the Civil Service, are also key themes in the Civil Service Renewal Process.  The outcome of this process is currently being finalised and I hope to be in a position to seek Government agreement to the Civil Service Renewal Plan over the coming weeks.