Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I have taken a long time with the legislation. Sometimes the Houses of the Oireachtas are criticised on the slow passage of Bills but the Bill has been significantly improved by the work of the Members of the House, in particular on Committee Stage. I have given very careful consideration to all the very strong cases made. I responded in very careful terms to very good amendments tabled by the Deputies opposite, including looking at international best practice and providing reports and documentation to the Opposition in terms of what happens on the international stage in relation to such legislation. As a result, the FOI Bill that is about to pass is in very good order. It is an exemplar among FOI regimes. I know there are tweakings that others would have liked. It may well be that I will have to come back to the House depending on amendments that arise in the Seanad but it is my objective to have the regime in operation for next year. I thank sincerely the Deputies opposite for their involvement and hard work in advancing the legislation.

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