Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I accept the principles the Deputy is raising. When I was commenting on the initial formulation of metro north many years ago, I raised similar points, stating it was very difficult to understand some aspects of the then project because every time one tried to gain access to some information, one was told it was commercially sensitive, to the extent that, at one point, it was actually difficult to ascertain how much the project was going to cost. I am very eager to ensure that, where possible, all information for which Deputies are looking will be made available under the FOI legislation. I spoke on this point at a conference recently. I pointed to the breadth of organisations that were subject to FOI legislation and the support we had for the office of the commissioner in making adjudications on the matter. There is a balance sought in making these decisions. It is a balance that, when maintained, is in the commercial interests of the State.

See this speech in context