Joe O'Toole (Independent)

I wish to address an issue raised by Senator Brian Hayes, which we have already raised two or three times. During the Second Stage debate on the Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003, every speaker raised the question of consultation, which the Minister acknowledged in his reply. He also indicated that consultation with people had not taken place and that only reports which were two or three years old were consulted. In that sense it was a very poor response.

The Joint Committee on Finance and the Public Service has now decided to accept representations and engage in consultations on this issue. Nobody will disagree that the taking of Committee Stage before hearing what committees have to say undermines their work, shows disrespect for their status and ridicules the process of consultation.

Another option would be for the Committee on Finance and the Public Service to go into select committee of the Seanad if it wished in order to have its discussion. We have never done that before and I am not proposing that we do so, but Committee Stage should be deferred until the committee has concluded its business to allow us recognise its work and importance and the importance of consultation. Consultation may not change anything, but at least the process will have taken place. Will the Leader communicate with the appropriate Department to ensure it takes place prior to Committee Stage?