Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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587. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 636 to 638, inclusive, of 17 November 2015, if he will clarify a number of matters contained in his replies (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41665/15]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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​As I informed the Deputy in my reply of 17 November 2015, Sport Ireland is a public body for the purposes of the Freedom of Information Act and is responsible for the processing of FOI requests relating to the body, including decisions regarding the release or withholding of records.  I have no role in the process. However, I have referred the Deputy's question to Sport Ireland for direct response in relation to his question on the nature of the documents that were withheld. I would ask the Deputy to inform my office if a reply is not received within 10 days. I can assure the Deputy that I have full confidence in the Executive and the Board of Sport Ireland, which I appointed with effect from 1 October 2015, and that I also had full confidence in the previous Executive and Board of the then Authority. I am satisfied with the conduct of Sport Ireland and of the then Authority and with their use of taxpayers' money. I am informed that the decisions made by the then Authority in considering this FOI request were influenced by the advice of its legal team.

I am confident that Sport Ireland will comply with the decision of the Information Commissioner.