Last Tuesday a Fine Gael amendment asking for a hearing by the Joint Committee on Finance and the Public Services was defeated by the Government, yet yesterday the joint committee decided to open hearings on the Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill next week. Can the Leader give a commitment that no discussion on Committee Stage of the Bill will take place in the House until the joint committee hearings have concluded? Fine Gael welcomes the Government's U-turn on this matter and the fact that the Information Commissioner, the NUJ, other interested parties and the five wise men and women will be given an opportunity to have a say at the joint commitee next week. We welcome that.