Brian Hayes (Fine Gael)

I wish to propose an amendment to the Order of Business, that No. 2 be deleted from the Order of Business until such time as the advice the Attorney General gave to the Government is made available to Members, concerning the constitutionality of the Local Government Bill 2003. Irrespective of one's views on the substantive issue contained within the legislation, Members of both Houses of the Oireachtas have a responsibility to ensure that legislation is not repugnant to the Constitution. We have seen too many cases where the Supreme Court has overturned sections or entire Acts. It would be sensible for all Members of the House to be given the advice of the Attorney General because the Bill as proposed is suspect in terms of its constitutionality.

Will the Leader ask the Government when it intends to introduce the much-promised amending legislation for the Freedom of Information Act?