Charlie McCreevy (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)

I do not propose to accept the amendment. The purpose of section 25 is to exclude from the FOI Act records relating to the costing by a public body of proposals by a political party. This is a long-standing agreement between political parties. The section also restricts the principal Act in relation to parliamentary briefing records, including those treated as a brief for parliamentary questions, whether written or oral.

Ministers have direct responsibility to the Oireachtas through the various committees. In order to be properly briefed when appearing before either House, Ministers require a full range of views, expressed in a candid manner, from their officials and advisers on the various complex issues involved. It does not serve the public interest if Ministers do not to receive such advice. The same argument applies to briefing materials used in parliamentary questions. Accordingly, the Bill provides for full protection of such records.

Prior to the most recent general election, my Department pointed out to the leaders of the various political parties that everything concerning party costings would be above aboard. I assure Members – I am sure this also applied to my predecessors – that any advice sought by political parties is not brought to the attention of the Minister for Finance of the day. My Department went to considerable lengths to ensure that everything was done properly. Due to doubts concerning FOI procedure, I prepared a memorandum for the Government encouraging it to make a decision to ensure that FOI would not impinge on the normal procedures that have been in place for a number of years regarding the costings of the political parties.