Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Tá sé soiléir sa Bhille seo go gcaithfear an stiúradh a fhoilsiú agus a chur ar fáil go poiblí ionas go mbeidh a fhios ag daoine cad é an beart atá déanta ag an Aire. Uaireanta, bíonn commercially sensitive information i gceist anseo agus tá sé tábhachtach nach mbeadh an t-eolas sin ar fud na tíre. Tá sé tábhachtach, mar sin, go mbeadh sé faoin Aire cén uair agus conas a d'fhoilseofaí é, ach nach mbeadh gach rud ann ó thaobh an corporate strategy and investment plans.

Notwithstanding what the Deputy stated, section 19 allows the Minister, with the consent of the Minister for Finance and having consulted relevant Ministers, to issue directions. In the first instance, a direction will be issued after due consideration and consultation. It will not, therefore, be either arbitrary or random. In addition, it must be published as soon as is reasonably possible. The proposed amendment could require the publication of commercially sensitive information relating, for example, to corporate strategy and investment plans or - with due respect to the views underlying the amendment - the sale or acquisition of assets. In such cases, commercially sensitive information may have to be redacted until it is no longer commercially sensitive. I am of the view that the provision relating to publication, as contained in the section, does what is required. In such circumstances, I will not be accepting the amendment.