Martin Mansergh (Fianna Fail)

I am sorry that the Labour Party has suddenly become so defeatist about these deliberations. It is important to go through these sections on Report Stage, especially as some of the amendments were not tabled on Committee Stage because of the Information Commissioner's report. The deliberations have helped clarify sections of the Bill, put real fears at rest and will inform any final tweaking of the legislation.

I reject the argument made by Senator Higgins. Any clause in any legislation can be abused and – beyond a certain point – one cannot legislate for that. However, senior officials such as a Secretaries General wish to maintain their integrity and reputation, present and future, and will not deliberately abuse their powers to conceal something from the public which they should not. I do not accept Senator Higgins's premise.