Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)

We have had enough of that type of politics. I am glad there is a Minister who, much to the disgust of some on the opposite side of the House, is prepared to move away from that situation. It will not be a numbers game anymore.

I listened with incredulity to Senator Minihan who asked why we could not wait for the report on reform before we tabled motions of this nature. Only yesterday we asked the Government side to wait for the Information Commissioner's report, which will be made available next week, before it rammed the Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill through the House. We were forced to remain here until 3 a.m. to debate the legislation. The Senator said there was a danger that democracy and confidence in politics would be eroded by motions such as this. I suggest that what happened yesterday was a greater negation of democracy than anything else we have witnessed in this House for some time.

A number of excellent suggestions were made and I am glad the Minister is prepared to accept them and that he might even be prepared to appoint people from this side of the House.