Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Some interesting points have been made. The confusion last night was not confined to those using social media. As Whip I have access more quickly than others but I still did not know what was happening either.

There is a danger that if the culture is allowed to persist that one will end up with some of those who are taking decisions not committing anything to paper, or at the very least knowing that if they do that they will be retracted. That is not what freedom of information legislation is supposed to be about.

I am interested in the comment on semi-State companies and commercial semi-State companies. The Opposition and backbenchers feel the same frustration because Ministers are not answerable to the Dáil. Even though it is our job to hold the Government to account we do not have the same access the media are seeking. There has long been a demand for Ministers to be answerable in the Dáil and Seanad.