Brendan Ryan (Labour)

She is also a most distinguished Leader of the House.

On yesterday's Order of Business, I inquired about the Government's plans to amend the Freedom of Information Act. This morning's revelations that the Department of Education and Science has used virtually every possible exemption to refuse disclosure of information on the peculiar agreement between the Government and the religious orders on the question of compensation is a cause of concern. For example, the Department has invoked the provision on privacy when the religious orders have indicated they have no difficulties with the disclosure of material.