Results 221-240 of 1,338 for speaker:Kathleen O'Meara
- Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed). (12 Mar 2003)
Kathleen O'Meara: While I accept it is a political point, it is very relevant to this debate. This is particularly true when one considers that the ideology of the party now in power with the major political party has changed dramatically. That fact needs to be pointed out to the public in general.
- Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed). (12 Mar 2003)
Kathleen O'Meara: It is also my job to reflect certain political opinions.
- Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed). (12 Mar 2003)
Kathleen O'Meara: The Government has tied his hands. These are his instructions
- Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed). (12 Mar 2003)
Kathleen O'Meara: The Senator should read the Bill.
- Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed). (12 Mar 2003)
Kathleen O'Meara: Read the Bill.
- Seanad: Order of Business. (13 Mar 2003)
Kathleen O'Meara: On the last matter raised by Senator Norris, as a member of the NUJ and somebody who knew Dick Walsh well in my earlier career, I, too, note his passing. In relation to freedom of information, I read in his own newspaper, The Irish Times, this morning that he had intended to lend his weight to the NUJ campaign of opposition to the Government's proposals. In that regard, the announcement by...
- Seanad: Order of Business. (20 Mar 2003)
Kathleen O'Meara: I second the amendment to the Order of Business proposed by Senator Ryan. I know the Leader has made an attempt to accommodate the many concerns raised by Members on this side of the House â deferral of Report Stage of the Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill was an attempt to do this. That the Minister for Finance is prepared to come to the House today is due in no small part to the...
- Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (20 Mar 2003)
Kathleen O'Meara: I second the amendment which I agree with and support my colleague's comments. It is one of many which get to the heart not only of the legislation but also what appears to be the ambition of the Administration to change the operation of the Freedom of Information Act 1997 and narrow and cut back severely on the level of information available publicly, specifically on Government decisions. We...
- Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (20 Mar 2003)
Kathleen O'Meara: I second the amendment. Amendment No. 25 relates to section 20 of the principal Act. As Senator McDowell said, it deals with a specific point that has been made by the Information Commissioner and was referred to in the deliberations of the Joint Committee on Finance and the Public Service. I thank the Minister for his clear response to my earlier question and for having injected an even...
- Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (20 Mar 2003)
Kathleen O'Meara: I move amendment No. 26: In page 11, line 17, after "State" to insert "and in the opinion of the Secretary General the public interest would, on balance, be better served by refusing to grant than by granting the request". This amendment is similar to amendment No. 25 in that it relates to the same section dealing with the deliberative process of public bodies and Government. I suggest that...
- Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (20 Mar 2003)
Kathleen O'Meara: What harm has ever been done when information relating to a disagreement between the Minister and his officials has entered the public domain? Why is it necessary to throw the blanket of secrecy around the advice the Minister is receiving?
- Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (20 Mar 2003)
Kathleen O'Meara: I agree with Senator Maurice Hayes about the role of Secretaries General and the heavy responsibility being placed on them in this area of the deliberative process. I do not accept, however, that this amending legislation is about simplicity of administration. The Minister has pointed out that there can be a difference of opinion from one Department or Secretary General to another on when...
- Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (20 Mar 2003)
Kathleen O'Meara: I saw it happen on numerous occasions, as I am sure the Senator has. We all know that there is selective leaking. As I have said to former colleagues, all one has to do to make a document desirable to journalists is to mark it "secret". Even if the information is not particularly interesting, they will want it and want to run with it. That is an incorrect exercise of power. One of the effects...
- Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (20 Mar 2003)
Kathleen O'Meara: I move amendment No. 29: In page 11, to delete lines 25 to 29.
- Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (20 Mar 2003)
Kathleen O'Meara: I move amendment No. 34: In page 12, between lines 28 to 29, to insert the following:
- Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (20 Mar 2003)
Kathleen O'Meara: I move amendment No. 35: In page 12, between lines 35 and 36, to insert the following: "and (c) in subsection (2), by the insertion of 'confidential' before 'communication' in both places where that term occurs in paragraph (b), and by the insertion of 'confidential' before 'negotiations' in paragraph (e)."
- Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (20 Mar 2003)
Kathleen O'Meara: I move amendment No. 36: In page 13, to delete lines 1 to 16.
- Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (20 Mar 2003)
Kathleen O'Meara: Amendments Nos. 37 and 38 relate to the same general issue. With the agreement of the House I suggest they be discussed together. They relate to the issue of information obtained in confidence.
- Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (20 Mar 2003)
Kathleen O'Meara: I move amendment No. 37: In page 13, to delete lines 17 to 48. This amendment again reflects our opinion that the views expressed by the Information Commissioner should be taken on board. There are times when information obtained in confidence should be available in the public domain.
- Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (20 Mar 2003)
Kathleen O'Meara: I move amendment No. 39: In page 14, to delete lines 1 to 36.