Results 12,741-12,760 of 12,886 for speaker:Paul Coghlan

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2003)

Paul Coghlan: I recognise the Chair. I was going to say "Your Honour", but I do not think the Acting Chairman would wish me to go that far.

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2003)

Paul Coghlan: Of course. I will try not to be repetitive. Having spent so much time here this evening I was struck by the comprehensive nature and the fundamentally sound arguments of a number of the speakers. Senator Ross stated that it is natural for Governments to devise ways around things. In his capacity as a working journalist, he believes that the Government did not like the way in which the Freedom...

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2003)

Paul Coghlan: I am not suggesting it is tainted.

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2003)

Paul Coghlan: I am not. The Leader of the House, Senator O'Rourke, has often spoken of leaks from Cabinet and she was in a position to know.

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2003)

Paul Coghlan: Although some of the Senators present may have been around then, I was not. I am not saying we should go down that road either. I agree with Senator Ross's assertion that Governments should not be ashamed of their views. He also made a statement that would be very disturbing if it is true. He suggested that top civil servants and judges do not have to declare their interests in the same way...

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2003)

Paul Coghlan: We sympathise with him, if that is the right thing to do. Those who advise him and his colleagues tend to be economical with the truth. This seems to be a natural trait of civil servants. Earlier today in passing between offices I heard some of what Senator Mansergh said. I was struck by his reference to the time when he was advising the former Taoiseach, Mr. Albert Reynolds. According to the...

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2003)

Paul Coghlan: Senator Mansergh is a fine Senator and I am sure he made a fine contribution. He also pointed out – he would know because he comes from the other side of the tracks, although he is now here as a parliamentarian – how secretive and authoritarian the Civil Service has been. There has been a fundamental lack of consultation with regard to the Bill. There was no communication with the...

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2003)

Paul Coghlan: Is that right? I thank the Senator. Such a group would not be known for its commitment to openess. They only met in secret. The commissioner and everyone who used the legislation were ignored. The Government is rolling back on progress. It was a Government of Fianna Fáil and the Labour Party which initiated the measure and it is hard to understand the present rolling back. The proposed curbs...

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2003)

Paul Coghlan: I would like to do the equivalent of laying text before the House by reading some of it into record because it is pertinent to some of the arguments which have been, and will be, advanced during the debate. With respect, I believe it answers some of the arguments from our worthy opponents across the floor.

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2003)

Paul Coghlan: It is from Public Affairs Ireland. I do not know the date of publication but I will obtain it.

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2003)

Paul Coghlan: I know that and I appreciate it very much. I am always subject to the Chair's guidance. The following is a series of questions from the interviewer to the Information Commissioner, Mr. Kevin Murphy: Q. Do you think that the Freedom of Information Act 1997 has achieved its purpose in ensuring greater transparency and accountability in policy formation and decision-making?A. I think...

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2003)

Paul Coghlan: I do not.

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2003)

Paul Coghlan: Will the Chair indicate how many minutes I have left?

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2003)

Paul Coghlan: The interview continues: Q. Are there any abuses of the Act?A. I am aware of some cases of frivolous or vexatious requests for information, but these may be dealt with at the public body level. I am not aware of any case of non-compliance by public bodies although there have been appeals against some of my decisions on a point of law to the High Court. If a public body simply refused...

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2003)

Paul Coghlan: It is a brief question and a brief answer.

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2003)

Paul Coghlan: It is a brief question.

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2003)

Paul Coghlan: I had better do so even though—

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2003)

Paul Coghlan: I will.

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2003)

Paul Coghlan: No, these are some notes I had.

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2003)

Paul Coghlan: I am grateful to Senators Mooney and Fitzgerald and the Minister of State.