Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

There is an aspect on which we did not touch and I would like the witnesses' opinion on it. Would they outline the practice in other countries, if they know it, or have they a view on it?

This is what I would call the broader societal impact of freedom of information. The conversation on this issue in which we have been involved so far has been dealing with public bodies. The only reason we are dealing with public bodies is the Government runs the country, but such bodies are funded by the taxpayer. If the taxpayer pays for an organisation, there should be public accountability and information. Government activities are only a fraction of public life. I refer to broader society. Many organisations have a much greater impact on the public than have some public bodies. I seek their view on how we should proceed on freedom of information on private companies, whether it be the food sector, banking, financial and, especially, the private media, whether print or electronic. For instance, there is not a house in Ireland that has not got mobile phones, a landline and television. The major private companies have a greater impact on daily life than have some Departments and quangos. Church, sporting and cultural organisations have a major impact. Citizens' right to information on how major organisations in the country affect their lives is as important. All such organisations are excluded merely because the taxpayer does not fund them. Now that I am listening to this debate, I realise it is a very narrow one. I should be entitled to information about how, for instance, the GAA and the church run their business if I think it is relevant, or how Vodafone decides not to provide a signal somewhere, not to waste money or to put it somewhere else. Such issues are as important to citizens' daily lives as whether the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine issued a veterinary inspection to somebody or whatever the case may be.

Has Mr. Dooley a view on that issue? I believe we are only scratching the surface in terms of information that affects peoples' daily lives.