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

I thank the Comptroller and Auditor General for that information.

Mr. Watt stated that the Freedom of Information Bill 2013 will ensure Ireland's freedom of information regime is restored to the top tier of legal frameworks internationally for facilitating access to official information. Will Mr. Watt tell me why the Department has put in the Bill, which is on Second Stage in the Chamber as we speak, or it was an hour ago, new exclusions from freedom of information in respect of public private partnerships? That is the position of the legislation which is now on Second Stage and which was introduced by the Minister last night.

I am satisfied with the response but I am not happy. The second half of the question was why the Department has built that into the legislation. I am raising this because Mr. Watt raised the issue in his opening statement. The first ten pages were not policy issues but Mr. Watt chose to raise the freedom of information issue and if one raises an issue here, one is entitled to be asked on it.