Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

With regard to the freedom of information Bill, the practice I have adopted with the suite of legislation is to refer the heads to an appropriate Oireachtas committee so we can have a robust debate. It is a matter for the House to deal with the broadening and deepening of our democracy, and I intend to proceed with that. The commitment in the programme for Government goes much beyond simply undoing the damage done by Fianna Fáil to the Bill enacted the last time we were part of the Government. It extends the legislation to a range of other organisations. I welcome the views of the Opposition in that regard and would be very open to amendments. Committee Stage of the Personal Insolvency Bill has been concluded and it is expected that Report Stage will take place in the House during the first week of November.

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