Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

462. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the protocols in place, since March 2011, to set standards in parliamentary replies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23504/15]

Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

463. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if she is satisfied that parliamentary questions are adequately replied to within her Department; the steps she has taken since March 2011 to ensure parliamentary questions are fully responded to within her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23520/15]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 462 and 463 together.

I answer all Parliamentary Questions tabled to me as Minister in accordance with the Standing Orders of Dáil Éireann relative to Public Business. As the Deputy will be aware, Standing Order 40A places a duty on me to address each and every request contained in a Parliamentary Question. In addition, I regularly provide information relating to agencies operating under the remit of my Department.

In terms of internal controls in my Department, each member of staff responsible for preparing responses to Parliamentary Questions has been issued with a manual which sets out the standards expected when drafting replies.

I am satisfied that every effort is made to ensure that replies to parliamentary questions are accurate, clear and answer as fully as possible the question tabled by Deputies. Where this is not possible within the time constraints a full reply issues as quickly as possible direct to the Deputy.