Seanad debates

Thursday, 20 March 2003

Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages.

 

I subscribe to the proposals of amendments Nos. 2 and 6. The first seeks to amend the Long Title of the Bill to remove any confusion as to whether the right of access is confined to natural persons. The term "members of the public" should be changed to "persons". The Minister could make a gesture of recognition of this House by accepting this sensible technical amendment. Amendment No. 6 represents a sensible suggestion by the Information Commissioner who says a definition of person in line with the Interpretation Act 1937 should be incorporated into this section of the Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003 without reference to contrary intention. The word "person" should be construed as importing a body corporate, whether a corporation aggregate or a corporation sole, and an unincorporated body of persons as well as an individual.

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