Mr. Stephen Rafferty:

In my experience of engagement with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform it has been extremely committed to the widest possible expansion of freedom of information legislation. I am aware that some very strong voices were heard concerning just how far the amendment Bill would go, but my understanding or certainly my experience has been that many of the arguments have been met head-on. Again, we will wait to see what is included in the published Bill, but there certainly has been some resistance across public bodies in terms of expansion.