Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)

My question is concerned with freedom of information. The position is that Deputies have been refused information on Sellafield by the Department on grounds of national security. We have issues of intimate concern to the security of our people about which Deputies are very concerned being denied under alleged freedom of information exemptions. There is also the situation whereby the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland, RPII, is not subject to the Freedom of Information Act. Will the Minister make changes so that we may have a realistic and well-informed debate about the Sellafield issue? There have been major incidents there on which the reporting has been suspect. Deputies are entitled to know the information that is available to Government so that we may have an informed debate.

I also have a question on patient safety. The Minister for Health and Children declared an emergency in patient safety in accident and emergency departments the day before yesterday. I want to ask about other patient safety matters, specifically in nursing homes in the light of the Leas Cross experience. In private nursing homes——

See this speech in context