Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)

Deputy Boyle put his finger on the main issue when he said we would all like this Bill to be withdrawn. God marches on the side of the big battalions and the Government has the numbers in terms of voting power on this occasion. We are reduced to seeking to influence the Government to make the best job of what is bad legislation.

On the last occasion we debated this Bill the Minister made great play of the report that the agency will make at the end of each year to the Minister for Finance. I have read the areas on which it will report and note it will report on such other areas as the Minister might require. The types of issues about which we are concerned are why would, say, A be selected over B. What happens in Government is what we are most concerned about. In essence, the report the Minister advised us would hold the Government up to full scrutiny is a nonsense in this case.

I do not doubt that the Minister is sincere in what he said about approaching the Department of Finance and having this board included in the relevant schedules. However, that is his intention. There is no guarantee that will happen. That is what is at issue. The Minister has not satisfied me that the provisions of the freedom of information legislation will apply to this Bill when enacted and on establishment day. The Minister referred to what he does currently. However, we are passing legislation not only to cover this period but until the Government of the day chooses to revisit it. What the Minister does or does not do in terms of giving information sought from his office is irrelevant to what we are discussing here. There is no reference to the Government in this amendment. We seek to ensure that the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act apply to the board.

Regarding the specific issue covered in the amendment, the Minister has not satisfied me that the House will be guaranteed that by the establishment day — the critical day — the Dormant Accounts Board will be added to the relevant schedules.

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