Tom Parlon (Laois-Offaly, Progressive Democrats)

Our Civil Service operates in an environment which is very open and liberal by international standards and this will continue to be the case. There have been liberal references to other countries. I refer to Australia. The Secretary to the Department of the Prime Minister has the power to certify that the document is a Cabinet document. Such a certificate establishes conclusively that the document is exempt. That is the position in Australia. In New Zealand a record may be withheld if it is necessary to maintain the constitutional conventions which protect collective and individual ministerial responsibilities or the confidentiality of advice tendered by Ministers of the Crown and officials.

(Interruptions).