Seanad debates

Thursday, 20 March 2003

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

 

Background papers dealing with these areas will be found to be before Government from time to time. What harm is generated by having these papers in the public domain? I have asked this question on numerous occasions and have never received a satisfactory reply. I do not believe such a reply exists. What is wrong with having, for example, background papers dealing with strategies on employment available to the public? Where is the harm in people being able to read such papers and judge for themselves how decisions are made and formed? We know that the Minister for Finance is not averse to taking a different view from that which was advised. What is wrong with the public knowing that? It has not done this Minister any harm. Why is it necessary to cast such an extensive blanket over the deliberative process of Government and, in doing so, undermine the entire principle of the original legislation?

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