Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

This question is not directly related to the Taoiseach's Department but concerns freedom of information requests. I note the Chairman of the Committee of Public Accounts, Deputy Bernard Allen, made the point recently that the HSE, in transmitting information to the committee, would have legal problems. Giving the same information under freedom of information rules to an individual citizen would not be a problem. Given the historic importance associated with the public accounts committee in all Governments, it should be possible for the Chairman of the Committee of Public Accounts to seek information in regard to an issue under Freedom of Information Acts.

We have put forward a view that the Act should be amended in this regard, which would be easy to achieve. Does the Taoiseach agree that the public accounts committee, which has for years been the most well regarded committee in the Houses and is completely independent, should not have a standing of lesser importance than any citizen in respect of the Freedom of Information Acts?

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