Martin Mansergh (Fianna Fail)

The crux of the argument is that it is not possible to separate the deliberation of Government to purely what takes place at the Cabinet table. Much spadework has to be done before going into Cabinet and the important decisions are almost never taken at the first meeting. Some matters are discussed several times before a decision is made and senior officials have to tease out details. We are talking about the process as a whole. Bearing in mind that even this section is subject to the Information Commissioner, contrary to what the Senators opposite maintain it is tightly drawn. It is not related to anything officials or special advisers may do. It is not a blanket exemption, but a tightly drawn one affecting a group appointed by the Government to resolve a difficulty in respect of a decision it must make. As it relates to that type of work, it is perfectly defensible.