Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

I do not disagree with the Taoiseach's view as to the significant difference between rights to privacy and public accountability. We are seeking to have freedom of information applied in the realm of public accountability. We should recognise that it played a significant role, if not the primary one ultimately, in exposing abuses in FÁS. That is just one example of how it has been utilised correctly in the public interest. I see no conflict between the right to privacy, on which I would broadly agree with the Taoiseach, and the need to ensure public accountability in the examples I gave concerning the Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland.

If we had more public accountability concerning the regulatory authority for the financial services sector here we might have had a little more exposure of the serious fault lines that were clearly endemic within that structure. We must be careful not to throw the baby out with the bathwater. We must get to grips with the broad principle behind freedom of information which is, as the Taoiseach said, public accountability. We must also ensure transparency, as well as scrutiny in all matters pertaining to the public finances and actions affecting the broad public interest. freedom of information is crucial to all of that. I ask the Taoiseach for a reappraisal of his earlier response and his acceptance that none of us is arguing for everyone's rights to privacy to be thrown out the window. That is not the case. People are giving a measured view on the current and future role of freedom of information.

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