Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

We are still waiting for the Government's proposals on the production of legislation to reform and extend freedom of information legislation, a clear commitment given in the programme for Government which committed to restoring the Freedom of Information Act on the basis that it had been undermined by the previous Government, a dubious proposition. When will this occur? Alternatively, Deputy Sean Fleming is introducing a Fianna Fáil Bill to extend the legislation to the National Asset Management Agency, the National Treasury Management Agency, the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General and other bodies. That Bill which will be debated this Friday will address many of the concerns the Government held in opposition. I invite the Taoiseach to support it in so far as it would meet the many concerns articulated by other Deputies.

What was the basis for the six refusals and are they being appealed? Despite the hue and cry about the Freedom of Information Act, the Taoiseach and the Government have relied on it a fair bit. For example, I sought information from the Taoiseach in the House on the pension levy, but I needed to use freedom of information provisions. I received the information months later. It seemed to be a deliberate ploy to delay giving me the information. I made a freedom of information request regarding the famous Van Rompuy compromise. Despite the European Union not having a difficulty with my request, the Taoiseach's Department refused me access to the documentation. I can list several examples of Deputies who needed to take the freedom of information route to access behind the scenes information. Hence, 80 freedom of information requests were submitted. Unfortunately, we are not getting answers through the parliamentary system and people are being economical with information. There is an unhealthy reliance by the Government on the freedom of information system to delay providing information on important matters of public interest for Deputies and the public generally.

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