Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)

Let us revert to the kernel of the issue. As the Taoiseach acknowledged, the Government committed not just to restoring the Freedom of Information Act to what it was before it was, undoubtedly, undermined by the previous Administration but also to extending its remit to capture other public bodies, including the administrative side of the Garda Síochána. What progress has been made in this regard? The Taoiseach referred to the work of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, but how stands the legislative process and the commitment to broadening the remit of the Act? To what extent does the Taoiseach believe it should be broadened? For example, should its provisions be applied to the Central Bank, the Financial Services Authority, NAMA and the NTMA? Sinn Féin published a Bill on how the Act should apply to NAMA. When will the Government's legislation be introduced? I hope the former has a sense of urgency attached. As the Act is restored and broadened, which public bodies does the Taoiseach believe should be covered by it?

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