Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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I was not here earlier either due to attendance at another meeting.

I welcome the delegation. I would like to see the maximum amount of information being made available. The press should have it. The limitations that were put on the Freedom of Information Act 1997 under previous Governments were a retrograde step.

Would the panel agree that there is a responsibility on the press that when FOI information naming individuals is published, the individuals should be given the opportunity to respond? In general some of press provide such an opportunity, but some do not. I have seen bad examples where information was released by a newspaper and, regardless of who it was about, their political persuasion or allegiance, there was no opportunity to respond. In fact, I saw a case in the past week which does not affect me but where there was no opportunity given by the publication to the persons concerned to even answer. Would they agree that, regardless of who are the owners of their newspapers or stations, they, as journalists, have a responsibility to allow people such an opportunity to at least present their side of the story? They are starting from the perspective of the public interest. The public interest has been mentioned on several occasions since I came in. It is in the public interest that both sides should get equal coverage.