asked the Minister for the Environment if he will outline his policy in relation to the publication of all reports commissioned by his Department or other agencies funded in whole or in part by his Department; if he will introduce changes to the present arrangements to ensure that all such reports are published in future; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Reports commissioned by my Department are generally published if it is felt that the contents are of interest to the general public. As regards reports commissioned by bodies under the aegis of my Department, it is a matter for the commissioning body to decide whether or not they should be published.