TASC Report on Government Outsourcing
102. Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Finance if he intends to address the concerns raised in the report Outsourcing Government Public Bodies and Accountability published by TASC, in particular the call for ensuring that accountability legislation is applied fully to all bodies responsible for public functions and that exceptions are in accordance with clear criteria agreed in an open, transparent and accountable manner. [19211/06]
Minister for Finance (Mr. Cowen): I have always been willing to consider matters relevant to my Ministerial responsibilities which have been raised in this House or elsewhere and where appropriate to take steps to allay any concerns which prove to be soundly based. I understand that the report to which the Deputy refers was published only last week and is relatively wide-ranging. I will have it examined and its conclusions considered in so far as they concern matters for which I have responsibility. The question of what, if any, steps might be appropriate can then be addressed.