Charlie McCreevy (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)

Section 21 extends the power to refuse to confirm or deny the existence of a record to a record containing personal information where the mere acknowledgement of the existence or non-existence of the record concerned could undermine the exemption or reveal the sensitive personal information contained in the record. The Long Title of the existing Freedom of Information Act accepts the need for strong protection for the privacy of individuals. I do not propose to accept the amendment.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.