Seanad debates

Tuesday, 11 March 2003

Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Committee Stage.

 

Previously, any record which contained information related to an individual had to be disclosed. Now there is a much tighter requirement that the record must contain personal information. The commissioner's very helpful report points to a number of cases where the definition has been of critical importance in determining what can be released. He is in no doubt that this section will restrict the personal information to which people will be able to gain access. This is of great importance to individuals, as opposed to people who want to find out what is happening in the political system. The personal information provision is vital. There is an onus on the Government, if it is restricting the availability of personal information, to tell us why it believes it is necessary to do this. I have not heard any persuasive argument why this should be tightened up.

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