Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)

No. I have no wish to go there but they must be rebutted at every opportunity.

I refer to the question of publishing advice. I made the point that the Minister is politically responsible for decisions and the Minister must take political responsibility in this House for decisions. Civil servants advise on these decisions but Ministers make them. I do not believe the endless publication of advice will improve matters. The Freedom of Information Act has seen a very good improvement in public administration and has thrown a wealth of information into the public domain already in respect of decision making processes. When it comes to the point of a decision, the exemptions provided for in the Freedom of Information Act are wise.

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