Kathleen O'Meara (Labour)

I will vote against the legislation. It is bad law and a bad day for our democracy. I do not accept it has been caused by the report of the high level group. The group reported, but the Government brought forward the legislation without a mandate. There is no mandate for undermining the freedom of information legislation. The Bill is a dilution of important principles enshrined by both Houses of the Oireachtas in 1997. It is unnecessary and wrong and we will continue to oppose it.