Joe O'Toole (Independent)

We need to examine the ordering of our business in the context of Report Stage of the Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003. Given the joint committee's unanimous agreement that the Bill requires further significant amendment and the need to ensure the Bill is passed by both Houses by 18 April, the Government should agree to make and accept amendments today. If it does not, we should not waste time by taking Report Stage now. The Government should indicate whether it will either bring forward Report Stage amendments today or whether we can return to the matter when the Bill has been considered by the Lower House. I am a realist and I understand that amendments must be taken. There is no point in our spending the day dealing with issues to which we will be obliged to return.

The joint committee has spent two days considering this matter and has adopted a position on the matter. I ask the Leader to recognise that fact. It seems practical that we should defer Report Stage and take it next Tuesday morning, if necessary, in order that the Bill can be sent to the Dáil in its proper form, or that the Government should indicate what it intends to do with the legislation. The Government has indicated that it intends to introduce amendments and we should be informed as to their likely content.

There are disturbing reports in this morning's newspapers about a garda in Portlaoise who received compensation for doing his job properly. As the public service vehicles officer, he discovered serious problems with school buses which were being approved for transportation use. When he brought this matter to the attention of certain people, he was bullied and had to leave his job. There are many 25 and 30 year old buses in operation throughout the country, but until now we had been led to believe that age was not an issue because these vehicles are properly maintained. This is a major issue and I ask the Leader to invite the Minister for Education and Science to come before the House to reassure Members that checks and balances are in place to ensure children being transported to and from school are safe.