Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

I do not want to be too fussy about this. Years ago, when I was in Opposition and doing some research on manpower policies, I was able to get access to civil servants to brief me on particular issues. When I researched the Trade Union Act and the changes to the Trade Disputes Act 1906, I was also able to get civil servants to give me a briefing on process. I do not see any difficulty with that. Obviously, if civil servants are put in a position of a party political nature, that is wrong, but briefings are useful. As good as a Minister or an Opposition spokesperson may be, he or she will not have the same grasp or detailed knowledge as an official who has been working on legislation or a proposal.

Politicians should not be restricted. It is difficult enough in Opposition for people to organise things but if people are prepared to give briefings, they should be allowed to do so. It may not always be possible to have an open briefing, but it should be. We should not let ourselves get too politically correct to the extent that we cut ourselves off from access to information. It often seems more relevant when people have to come here to brief us.

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