Jim Higgins (Fine Gael)

I support my colleagues on this side of the House in their total opposition to the manner in which the Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill has been handled. This is a dark day for democracy because the Bill is sinister, subversive and dangerous. The modus operandi in introducing the Bill three days after publication is wrong. It is an insult to the House.

If the Members on the other side of the House are serious about protecting their rights they should immediately take a stand with the Government. They should not act as puppets and poodles and they should resist any attempt to bulldoze the Bill through.