Jim Higgins (Fine Gael)

I would inform the Minister of State that the commissioner's report, The Application and Operation of Certain Provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 1997, is available and is quite riveting. As Senator O'Toole said, it is manifestly wrong in these circumstances to embark upon a debate on Committee Stage of a Bill which has such fundamental implications for people's right to access information. This debate should not proceed because the sponsoring Minister has not deemed it worthwhile to agree to a deferment of the Bill until next week, when the Cheltenham festival has concluded and when he could personally take us over the hurdles. In addition, the Minister of State, Deputy Parlon, who took part of the Second Stage debate last week, is not here.

It is wrong that the Minister or Minister of State responsible for the legislation are not present. I have great respect for the Minister of State, Deputy Michael Ahern, but the Bill does not come within his Department's remit. Given the fundamental importance of the legislation, the Minister of Finance should have come before the House. If he could not be here, his Minister of State should have attended the House.