Derek McDowell (Labour)

The effect of this section – the Minister of State does not appear to disagree – will undoubtedly be to restrict information. It will mean that information which could previously have been released will not or may not now be released. Whatever the intentions of Government, it must address the reality of what will happen as a result of its amendment. Given this reality, there is an onus on the Minister and Government, which has not been discharged, to explain the reason it is considered absolutely necessary to do so. Will the Minister of State give an example of circumstances in which he believes a civil servant or administrative official has been "used" and the adverse reaction or damage which has resulted? I grant, as Senator Henry did, that it allows a certain discretion to those who have to make these decisions but what is wrong with this? If the discretion is used, subject to the various exemptions, to give people information on themselves, I cannot see that any harm is done by leaving a certain measure of discretion and retaining the somewhat looser phrase in the Act.