Martin Mansergh (Fianna Fail)

I wish to make a general comment on the debate so far. It would help the debate, once the preliminaries are over, if we concentrate on the merits or otherwise of each of the amendments rather than going around the houses on every particular issue. I intend to approach this debate in a rational and reasonable manner. These amendments appear to be quite reasonable technical amendments, but the Minister may have a more informed view of the matter.

I do not share the view of my colleague, Senator Leyden, in regard to the Information Commissioner. He has done a service by giving us his views, which is not to say that I find all the points he makes of equal cogency. We should respect independent officers of the State, who are very important to our democracy, and be slow to criticise them. Our interest is to get the best possible legislation and reasonable inputs from any source are to be welcomed.