Derek McDowell (Labour)

I do not disagree with what the Minister has said. If information is important to the security of the State, if it is important and sensitive – to use the Minister's words – and its release will do harm, under the Act, as it stands, it will not be released. Both the Minister and Senator Mansergh spoke about clarity. Of course one can get clarity if one simply closes the door. In effect, they say that since nothing will be released there is total clarity in regard to what can be released. We are one step on the road to saying we do not require a Freedom of Information Act. I do not accept that whole swathes of Government activity should be totally immune from inspection. We all accept there is a particular sensitivity in relation to these areas and, therefore, that different provisions should apply to them than apply in other areas.

Amendment put and declared lost.