Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)

Let us debate the legislation, line by line and section by section. It has been fully considered by the Government.

I resent the comments made about the Minister of State consulting his officials. He is perfectly entitled to do so, as I was in the past when I had excellent officials. We do not want a Minister coming into the House and going through a Bill in an arrogant manner. Every Minister requires the support and assistance of experts in the field to guide him or her while a Bill is passing through either House of the Oireachtas. This has always been the procedure and there is nothing different with regard to this Bill.

I ask the Chair to put the section to the House. It should be part of the Bill. We should proceed to debate the legislation and if others outside the House have observations to make, they can be considered during the course of Committee Stage which will continue until Thursday. Surely Senators are capable of reading the recommendations made by the Information Commissioner? They will be duly taken into consideration by the Government as the Bill goes through the House and the Dáil.

Having read most of the newspapers at the weekend, I know the tune to which Senator O'Toole is dancing. He is appeasing the NUJ and journalists.