Freedom of information reform
Deputy Adams asks when the Freedom of Information amendment Bill will be introduced, criticising the lack of precision in the Government’s timetable. Minister Howlin says its heads will be considered through an Oireachtas committee and that the Bill will broaden access beyond reversing previous restrictions.
I also had a question about the freedom of information Bill and I accept the need for the area to be broadened, given what has been done to it. This follows the debacle regarding primary care centres. Deputy Ó Caoláin and others from my party have asked a range of questions-----
Comment on this
Okay. The Minister was unable to say when the Bill would be brought forward.
Comment on this
It is the amending freedom of information legislation. The Minister should be more precise as the answer he has given is not enough. We have just discussed mortgage debt. When will the Personal Insolvency Bill be returned for Report Stage?
Comment on this
With regard to the freedom of information Bill, the practice I have adopted with the suite of legislation is to refer the heads to an appropriate Oireachtas committee so we can have a robust debate. It is a matter for the House to deal with the broadening and deepening of our democracy, and I intend to proceed with that. The commitment in the programme for Government goes much beyond simply undoing the damage done by Fianna Fáil to the Bill enacted the last time we were part of the Government. It extends the legislation to a range of other organisations. I welcome the views of the Opposition in that regard and would be very open to amendments. Committee Stage of the Personal Insolvency Bill has been concluded and it is expected that Report Stage will take place in the House during the first week of November.