Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

It is a commitment of Government to restore the Act to what it was prior to 2003 and to extend its remit further than it is at present. I understand from the Minister, Deputy Howlin, that he would expect to be able to bring a legislative measure to the House in the new year. Clearly, we have had discussions about the legislative programme from September until the end of this year, which was very packed because of the timeline requirements on a number of pieces of legislation, as demanded under the troika agreement.

The programme for Government provides that the Government will legislate to restore the Act to what it was before 2003 and to extend its remit to other public bodies, including the administrative side of the Garda Síochána, subject to security exceptions. It also proposes to extend freedom of information and the Ombudsman Act to ensure that all statutory bodies, and all bodies significantly funded from the public purse, are covered. The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform has embarked on preparatory work to implement the commitments contained in the programme. When this is completed, the Minister will bring his proposals before Government. These proposals will include consideration of the position in regard to the Central Bank and Financial Services Authority, NAMA and the NTMA. There are no proposals at present to bring the nationalised or partly nationalised banking sector within the Freedom of Information Act.

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