Mary Henry (Independent)

All the points have been covered. I previously stated that the definition of official is so wide that, as Senator O'Meara pointed out, anybody can be included. On the Order of Business I mentioned all the committees within the Department of Health and Children. The real problem is that they do not report and now we will not be able to find out anything about them.

I would like to read into the record the last words in the report by my new friend, the Information Commissioner. I am glad that I supported his appointment. I never thought I would find him so valuable. He states:

Accordingly, it would appear that defining "Government" in such a way as to include a "committee of officials" may be an overly loose, unclear and inefficacious way of achieving what the Explanatory Memorandum sets out as the goal of the proposed amendment.

This will return to haunt the Government as one of the most stupid items of legislation ever to come before the House. Like everyone else, I do not mind the change to ten years. This is the nub of the Bill. We will not be able to get information on anything once two or three people, who might have come in off the street, have gathered together and stated that they are acting in the Government's name.