Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour) | Oireachtas source

First, there is no issue with any matter in connection with any Minister being debated either in the House or at the appropriate committee. One of the reasons we have committees is so they can address issues and question Ministers, probably in far greater detail than is normally permitted in the Chamber during Question Time. There is no difficulty with any issue being questioned by the Members of the Opposition.

With regard to freedom of information, the Deputy will recall that his Government filleted the Freedom of Information Act, so amending legislation will be brought before the House in the new year to restore many of the powers of that Act.

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