Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

To return to the legislation, as I stated it is very important because it deals with fundamental issues of reform, change, accountability and transparency in the country. In 1993, long before I was elected, the Let in the Light campaign was founded by a number of journalists and other interested parties to address issues of censorship and secrecy in Irish society and increase the momentum and growing campaign for greater governmental transparency. I remember the campaign very well because I was not even elected to the Dáil or Dublin City Council at the time. I was elected to Dublin City Council in 1999 and the Dáil in 2002 as an Independent Deputy.

Another important part of the debate on freedom of information is access to environmental information. The European Union's regulations on access to information on the environment provide additional means of access to environmental information and are important. Dublin Bay is a major national asset. The Minister of State, Deputy Hayes, knows this very well as he was born and bred near the bay. I know he will do his best to protect it from those who want to destroy it. For many years people such as Sean Dublin Bay Loftus fought hard and I will continue this tradition of protecting and defending Dublin Bay.

See this speech in context