Martin Mansergh (Fianna Fail)

Next, there was a move to freedom of information. I recall that, on the day he was elected leader of Fianna Fáil, Mr. Albert Reynolds used a phrase about letting in the light. As an adviser to Mr. Reynolds, I recall encouraging him to make a commitment to freedom of information legislation. He did so and it was subsequently incorporated in the programme for Government of the Fianna Fáil-Labour Party Administration. The original legislation was quite long and complex and, as a result, was in gestation for some years. However, we got there and a progressive Bill was the result. As the Minister pointed out, its range of applications has been considerably extended since it came into operation in April 1998.

The process was experimental in the sense that we were entering new territory. Freedom of information had not been part of our administrative system, which tended to be somewhat secretive and authoritarian. I am glad there has been a move to a more open culture, but it is inevitable that legislation of this kind, particularly in terms of its operation, needs to be reviewed.

I am unconvinced by the argument that the Bill is being introduced for essentially political reasons. I do not see any political advantage for the Government in introducing the legislation because, to put it mildly, it is not particularly popular. In the past five years of the operation of legislation, it does not appear that freedom of information did any harm to the Government. There was, of course, occasional embarrassment and a nuisance factor involved. However, the political argument is not valid as a motive for this legislation or as a justification for it.