Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I did not answer that FOI request, as is the norm in most Government bodies. The people who reply to FOI requests do so in the best interests of the Department and according to the established legal plan that sets out our response. I take a slightly different view insofar as I feel we should robustly defend the policy we have instigated over several Governments. I am proud to do so, because I believe in it. In an era of transparency for both Members and the public we serve, I think - and have said previously - that we should have published the report. However, I was in a position to do so only when I was completely satisfied we had fully established our plan. That is why it took until last Tuesday.

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