Kathleen O'Meara (Labour)

I agree with the remarks Senators on this side have made in relation to the passage of the Freedom of Information Bill through the House. As the Information Commissioner and members of the high level group will appear before the Joint Committee on Finance and the Public Service, it is imperative that the House delays its consideration of Committee Stage. It would be poor practice to fail to wait to hear the views of the joint committee and, in particular, the Information Commissioner. Will the Leader ensure Committee Stage is postponed and that Committee and Report Stages are taken during separate weeks?

The Leader will know that I raised serious concerns about the effective suspension in north Tipperary of the physically disabled person's grant a few weeks ago. It has now come to my attention that the crisis is national and that people with severe disabilities—